Pet therapy might sound like a modern wellness trend, but it’s been quietly changing lives for decades. From easing anxiety to improving motor skills, animals have an extraordinary ability to connect with people on an emotional and physical level. Their presence often does what medications and conventional therapies can’t, offering calm, comfort, and companionship in a uniquely non-judgemental way. Whether it’s a golden retriever easing stress in a hospital ward, a horse helping a child with autism build trust, or a cat bringing joy to a care home, the impact of animal-assisted therapy is profound, and well documented by researchers around the world.
In a society grappling with growing mental health challenges and social isolation, the role of therapy animals is becoming more relevant than ever. Backed by both anecdotal evidence and scientific studies, pet therapy is being incorporated into healthcare, education, rehabilitation, and even the workplace. And it’s not just about emotional comfort—pet therapy can have measurable impacts on blood pressure, mobility, speech, social skills, and overall wellbeing.
These are just some of the wide-ranging benefits of pet therapy, and why so many people are turning to animals for healing, connection, and support.
It reduces stress and anxiety.
One of the most immediate effects of pet therapy is the reduction of stress. Numerous studies show that interacting with animals can lower cortisol, the hormone associated with stress, and boost levels of oxytocin and serotonin, both of which are linked to feelings of happiness and bonding. According to a 2019 review published in Frontiers in Psychology, therapy dogs consistently helped reduce anxiety levels in both clinical and educational settings.
Hospitals increasingly invite therapy animals to visit patients undergoing surgery or cancer treatment. Their calming presence helps reduce pre-procedural anxiety and can create a more relaxed atmosphere for both patients and staff. For people with anxiety disorders or high-pressure jobs, pet therapy offers a tangible way to manage symptoms without medication.
It supports mental health recovery.
Pet therapy is a recognised tool in managing a variety of mental health conditions. For people living with depression, PTSD, social phobia, or complex trauma, spending time with animals can offer a rare sense of peace and companionship. Animals don’t judge, offer advice, or require explanations. They simply sit with you, creating a safe space to feel what you feel.
Research published in BMC Psychiatry has shown that animal-assisted interventions can significantly improve emotional wellbeing in people with severe mental illness. In therapeutic programmes, therapy animals are sometimes part of structured sessions that explore emotions and build coping mechanisms. For veterans, survivors of abuse, or people in addiction recovery, these animals become part of the healing journey. They help create routine, build trust, and make therapy feel less clinical and more humane.
It encourages physical activity and mobility.
Engaging with animals often involves physical interaction, whether it’s walking a dog, grooming a horse, or playing a game of fetch. These movements are subtle yet beneficial, especially for people recovering from surgery, strokes, or injuries.
In physical rehabilitation settings, therapists may incorporate animals into exercises to encourage stretching, reaching, or walking. Patients are more motivated to move when they’re interacting with a friendly animal, making therapy more effective. For older adults, the simple act of petting a dog can improve circulation and joint movement.
In some cases, animals are used to support long-term mobility goals. For example, balance and posture can improve through equine-assisted therapy, where patients learn to ride or lead horses, developing coordination, stability, and confidence.
It helps improve communication and social interaction.
Therapy animals can break down communication barriers that seem insurmountable in traditional therapy settings. Children with autism, for instance, may struggle with verbal communication, eye contact, or sensory integration. A calm dog or horse becomes a point of focus, easing anxiety and allowing for gradual interaction.
For people with speech difficulties or those recovering from neurological damage, talking to or giving commands to animals can help develop vocabulary, confidence, and tone. Because the interaction is low-pressure and non-verbal cues are so important, patients often feel more at ease and open.
Animals are also great conversation starters. In group therapy or community settings, therapy pets create opportunities for interaction that may not happen otherwise. They draw people together, prompt shared stories, and reduce feelings of isolation.
It boosts emotional wellbeing and mood.
Being around animals can lift spirits almost instantly. They offer comfort without judgement, making people feel seen, accepted, and cared for. In settings like care homes, prisons, schools, and trauma recovery centres, pet therapy has been shown to decrease aggression, reduce symptoms of depression, and foster a sense of calm.
According to a study in Aging & Mental Health, regular interaction with therapy animals significantly improved mood and reduced agitation in elderly patients with dementia. For people grieving a loss or facing a major life transition, animals offer companionship that is consistent and soothing. They provide moments of joy and distraction from worry, even in the toughest of circumstances. And for people who find verbal expression hard, the presence of an animal often says enough.
The mood-lifting effects of therapy animals are also used preventatively. Some schools now employ therapy dogs to support student wellbeing, while workplaces introduce office pets or therapy visits to combat burnout and stress.
It fosters confidence, responsibility, and independence.
Learning how to care for or interact with an animal can be empowering, especially for children, teenagers, and people with learning disabilities. Feeding, walking, or grooming an animal gives a sense of purpose and routine. It builds confidence through small, achievable tasks that have clear outcomes.
Equine-assisted therapy is a strong example of how animal interaction can boost emotional intelligence. Horses are sensitive and require calm, assertive leadership, which teaches self-regulation, empathy, and focus. Participants learn how their emotions influence animal behaviour and adjust accordingly—skills that transfer to human relationships.
In broader contexts, therapy animals help children with behavioural difficulties learn boundaries. They give shy or withdrawn individuals something to care for and talk to. And for people managing chronic illness, a therapy animal can help maintain a sense of independence and stability.
It supports people in palliative and end-of-life care.
For people receiving palliative care, pet therapy can offer moments of comfort, familiarity, and connection at a time when they’re most needed. Therapy animals are known to ease pain perception, reduce feelings of loneliness, and create opportunities for joy and reminiscence.
In hospices, the presence of an animal can be a powerful emotional support, not only for patients but also for their families and the care staff. A 2015 study published in the American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine found that animal-assisted therapy was associated with reduced anxiety and increased emotional comfort in patients nearing the end of life.
The unconditional presence of a therapy pet brings a sense of normalcy, warmth, and peace to a clinical or emotionally heavy setting. Even brief visits can make an immeasurable difference in quality of life.
It improves engagement and outcomes in therapy.
Therapy animals can increase patient participation and engagement in a wide range of therapeutic contexts. Whether it’s a child hesitant to speak, an older adult resisting physiotherapy, or a teenager reluctant to attend counselling, the involvement of an animal can change the dynamic entirely.
Patients are often more willing to attend sessions when they know an animal will be present. The experience becomes less intimidating and more approachable. According to research published in Anthrozoös, animal-assisted therapy has been shown to enhance therapeutic alliance between client and therapist, which is a strong predictor of positive outcomes.
In educational and rehabilitative settings, the presence of animals improves motivation and encourages consistency—two key factors in long-term progress.
Pet therapy isn’t a miracle solution, but it is a deeply meaningful one.
It works because animals have a way of meeting people where they are without expectation, agenda, or judgement. In doing so, they help unlock parts of ourselves that might otherwise remain closed off.
As more research confirms what many have long felt—that animals can play a vital role in healing—pet therapy is being embraced across a growing number of settings. Whether you’re facing illness, emotional distress, or simply the everyday challenges of life, the quiet support of an animal can make all the difference.
In the end, pet therapy reminds us of something beautifully human: that healing isn’t always about fixing what’s broken. Sometimes, it’s about finding connection, comfort, and trust, often in the most unexpected companions.