Humans have always benefitted from the resources and companionship of animals. Some studies, but not all, find general health effects related to animal contact, and more studies are needed before final conclusions can be drawn.
Therapeutic use of animals is increasing. Although some existing studies show promising results, there is a lack of knowledge about causational pathways of effects.
Introducing behavioral methodology to quantify the type and intensity of actual animal contact during therapy could help create the link between therapy activities and measures of effect.
This integrative approach calls for cooperation between several scientific disciplines and funding to carry out larger-scale projects.
The welfare of the therapy animal must be considered and monitored for future recommendations of the use of therapy animals.