The domestication of animals began more than 12,000 years ago and continues today as animals play a significant role in human life (Lindsay, 2000). Much of what was known about the animal-human bond was anecdotal in nature until recently (Pavlides, 2008). Research examining the use of animals as a complementary or alternative therapy is based on studies about pet ownership. It is evident—with approximately 70 million pet dogs and 74 million pet cats in the United States—that pets play an important role in people’s lives (American Veterinary Medical Association, 2012a). Pets can help provide companionship, promote dialogue and social interaction, facilitate exercise, increase feelings of security, mitigate the effects of stress, be a source of consistency, and be a comfort to touch (Arkow, 2011). The healing power of pets is “their capacity to make the atmosphere safe for emotions, the spiritual side of healing; whatever you are feeling, you can express it around your pet and not be judged” (Becker, 2002, p. 80).

In a comparative study examining the impact of pet ownership in childhood on young adults’ social characteristics and professional choices, those who owned a pet in childhood retrospectively rated their pet higher than television, relatives, and neighbors in terms of social support received during childhood (Vizek, Arambasic, Kerestes, Kuterovac & Vlahovic-Stetic, 2001). The sample comprised 356 college students at a mean age of 21 years (68% women, 32% men). A total of 74% of the sample had pets (mostly dogs) during childhood and were found to be more empathetic and expressed more altruistic attitudes than those
students who did not own a pet in childhood. Moreover, those students who had a pet in childhood were more likely to choose a career in the helping professions.

The role that animals play in healing environments was first documented in records from 9th-century Belgium where animals were used with persons with physical disabilities, followed by 18th-century England where animals were used with people with mental illness (Pavlides, 2008). Florence Nightingale wrote of the connection between animals and health in 1860 by suggesting that pets were perfect companions for the sick, especially those individuals with chronic health conditions (Nightingale, 1859/1992).

The 1970s launched the beginning of widespread interest in the interaction between animals and humans in the health care setting. In 1976, Elaine Smith, an American registered nurse, observed the benefits of pets in the health care setting while working in England. She noticed how patients reacted positively to the visits of a chaplain and his golden retriever. Upon returning to the United States, Smith introduced the concept of pet therapy into health care settings and founded Therapy Dogs International (2012). The goal of creating Therapy Dogs International was to formally test dogs so they could be certified, insured, and registered as volunteer therapy dogs. In 1977, the Delta Foundation was established to study the human-animal bond and the potential use of animal-assisted therapy (AAT). Scientific research in this area began in the 1980s, with an important step forward by the National Institutes of Health convening a conference in 1987 on the health benefits of pets (Fine & Beck, 2010). During the 1990s the focus was the establishment of professional standards and guidelines with the development of the Standards of Practice for Animal-Assisted Activities and Animal-Assisted Therapy (Delta Society, 1996). In 2008, the National Institute of Child and Human Development convened a conference to discuss the need for clarity and well-designed research examining the animal/human bond (Fine & Beck, 2010). Carefully designed studies provide the evidence needed to increase acceptance of AAT as a credible complementary therapy.