Use of animal-assisted therapy as a tool in the treatment of human diseases: Review

Abstract

The aim of this study was to update the Veterinary Medicine professional regarding its role in animal assisted therapy (TAA), considering that it is a resource that is increasingly being used by human medicine as part of the therapeutic process of several human diseases, like emotional, physical, cognitive or social. The TAA has the animal as the main tool, most occasions is the dog, therefore the welfare of animals need to be kept as well as their physical and mental health. The veterinarian has an important responsibility during this period of therapy therefore it is essential to maintain the physical and emotional integrity of the dog as well as carrying out his training in order to provide a quiet and routine environment for both dogs in order to find the success and positive response during the treatment. It was concluded that the role of the veterinarian during all the elaboration of the activity of extreme validity, besides being part of its field of action, certain knowledge and practical practices are adequate and exclusive of the veterinarian professional.