Animal assisted therapy and its benefits

Abstract

The present thesis was based on a theoretical study and aimed to elucidate in the specialized literature; a brief historical of Animal Assisted Therapy, as well as its benefits.It was found that many countries recognize as a scientific therapeutic method, including the agency that regulates programs with animals in the United States that has made official the terminology,as many terms were used generating confusion. In Brazil, it is a theme with very restricted studies. The animal-assisted therapy can be used in programs intended for various types of situations from persons with physical, mental and emotional difficulties. Several authors describe the positive effects for different types of patients undergoing treatment as improved motor, sensory, cognitive ability, communication, improves the immune system, social interaction, learning, interpersonal relationships, among others. Based on the results of this study, it is concluded that contact with animals for therapeutic purposes is a valuable tool and can be applied in various age groups and in different types of patients with special needs, providing numerous benefits, but it makes necessary more studies in Brazil for contribution and advancement in the area.