A study at one prison show that owning a pet can change a hardened prison
inmate into a more caring person. Another study discovered that senior citizens,
both those living alone and those in nursing homes, became more interested in life
when they were given pets to care for. Even emotionally disturbed children have
been observed to smile and react with interest if there is a cuddly kitten or puppy
to hold. Animals, then, can be a means of therapy for many kinds of individuals.