Animal domestication goes so far back in human history that domesticated animals have evolved with, and, hence, socially integrated into humanity; more children live with pets than both parents (Walsh, 2009). As much of psychology, especially depression, benefits from social supports, it seems reasonable that "companion animals" should be able to help provide physical and mental well-being. Two areas stand out in this context: programs for the elderly who suffer mental illness that bring specifically-trained dogs to visit them, and prison programs that leverage dog training as part of rehabilitation.
An elder mental health study demonstrated the strengths of animal-assisted therapy with a modest program that brought specifically trained dogs for 90-minute weekly visits to a nursing home six times (Moretti, 2010). The elder patients, mostly women averaging age 85, suffered from dementia (47.6%), psychosis (33.3%) and depression (19.0%). These patients showed a 50% decrease on the Geriatric Depression Scale and a 4.5 point increase on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). The latter is significant as 4.5 is approximately the maximal range within MMSE categories (Family Practice Notebook, 2010).
Animal-leveraged prisoner rehabilitation programs can statistically stand on their own as they lower recidivism (Ormerod, 2008). The use of animals, usually dogs, in prison programs forces prisoners to allow well-structured positive influences to resolve their disorders so that they can benefit from the program--that is, to become free again and stay free (Walsh, 2009). Prisoners develop responsibility for their dogs, or, perhaps, "take ownership" of their dogs' well-being, reversing their previously irresponsible relationships with their environments.
The companionship component of the "companion animal" relationship with humanity can assist therapy for the suicidally depressed, further showing responsibility-based benefits. Pet owners who ideate suicide report that they would never act on the ideation because they do not want to leave their pets un-cared for (Walsh, 2009).
References
Family Practice Notebook. (2010). Mini-mental state exam. Retrieved October 30, 2010 from http://www.fpnotebook.com/neuro/exam/MnMntlStExm.htm
Moretti, F., Bernabei, V., Marchetti, L., Bonafede, R., Forlani, C., De Ronchi, D., et al. (2010). P01-364 - A Pet therapy intervention on elderly inpatients: an epidemiological study. European Psychiatry, 25577. doi:10.1016/S0924-9338(10)70572-1.
Ormerod, E. (2008). Companion Animals and Offender Rehabilitation – Experiences from a Prison Therapeutic Community in Scotland. International Journal of Therapeutic Communities 29(3). Retrieved November 1, 2010 from http://www.eftc-europe.com/tcjournal/issues/29.3.pdf#page=69
Walsh, F. (2009). Human-Animal Bonds I: The relational significance of companion animals. Family Process, 48(4), 462-480. doi:10.1111/j.1545-5300.2009.01296.x.
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