The therapy-animal trend has taken off in the States and we often hear that animal companions are good for reducing stress and anxiety.
Molly Crossman is a Yale University doctoral candidate, has been researching the area and says there's a 'murky' body of evidence to support such notions.
She reviewed several studies on companion and therapy animals, and concluded that they are helpful for mental health in a "small-to-medium" way, but often there is no effect and occasionally studies have identified higher rates of distress.
She also cites problems with several studies picked up in the media, including small sample sizes, and an "alarming number" that did not control for other possible reasons for a changed stress levels.
The therapy-animal trend has taken off in the States and we often hear that animal companions are good for reducing stress and anxiety. Photo: Andre Spieker / Unsplash
