Therapy Pets: The Animal-Human Healing Partnership

This uplifting book shows how the field of Animal Assisted Therapy is having remarkable success training animals to help and enhance the lives of children and adults with serious medical problems. Hospital rehabilitation programs, physical and occupational therapy sessions, nursing homes, mental healthcare facilities, and hospice programs are some of the settings where dogs, cats, horses, and other animals have helped patients cope with often daunting medical challenges.

In this profusely illustrated book are many compelling stories about the healing animal-human partnership, including six-year-old Brendan, disabled from birth, who successfully completes his physical therapy with the help of Zorro, a big black hound once considered unadoptable; Philip, in his last days, who finds some joy in the company of a therapy dog named Andy; and Tikva, a Keeshond therapy dog from Oregon that helps to comfort emotionally drained firefighters, and other rescue workers at New York City's Ground Zero.

For animal lovers, healthcare providers, and anyone who appreciates how animals and humans interrelate, this is a wonderful, truly inspirational book.