There’s no doubt about it. On those days when you’re ill, depressed, and/or just not feeling like yourself, there’s nothing quite like spending some time with a special animal.

As pet owners, we know this is true. But don’t take our word for it — just take a look at all the incredible therapy animals out there, who bring joy to people of all ages on a daily basis.

According to the American Humane Association, animal-assisted therapy has been shown to help children who have experienced abuse or neglect, patients undergoing chemotherapy or other difficult medical treatments, and veterans and their families who are struggling to cope with the effects of wartime military service.

Therapy animal can also provide affection and comfort to people in retirement or nursing homes, schools, hospices, disaster areas, and to those with learning difficulties.

Let’s take a look at the amazing work of therapy animals, and salute all that they have accomplished.

A Rich History

Animals and humans have had a symbiotic relationship for thousands of years, and people have been tapping into the therapeutic nature of animals for almost as long.

Here are some highlights of therapy animal history:

• During the 9th century, handicapped people in Gheel, Belgium learned life skills by working with farm animals.
• In the late 1700s, a group of Quakers in England started the ‘York Retreat,’ where they used small farm animals to teach self-control and social skills to psychiatric patients.
• In 1860, the Bethlem Royal Hospital in London, England, started using animals to improve the morale of its patients.
• In the late 1800s, Florence Nightingale found that small pets helped reduce anxiety in patients at psychiatric institutions.
• In the early 1930s, Sigmund Freud began using his dog, Jofi, to ease tensions and facilitate conversations with his patients during psychotherapy sessions.
• In 1944, the Army Air Force Convalescent Hospital in Pawling, New York was using trained therapy dogs to help physically and psychologically wounded soldiers.
• In the early 1960s, child psychotherapist Boris Levinson found that his dog, Jingles, helped children who had difficulty communicating to open up.
• In 1973, Skeezer the therapy dog took up permanent residency at the Children’s Psychiatric Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
• In the mid-1970s, the Delta society, now known as Pet Partners, was formed to improve human health through positive interactions with therapy animals.
• In 1976, Elaine Smith founded Therapy Dogs International.
• In 1999, Intermountain Therapy Animals launches the Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) program.