Organisms

Therapy Animals

Therapy animals visit hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, schools, and other places where people may be facing health challenges or stressors to provide an emotional or mental health benefit by their presence. They may also be used to assist physical and occupational therapists. Therapy animals are generally registered, trained, and screened, but are not covered by laws as are service animals.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Therapy animals visit hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, schools, and other places where people may be facing health challenges or stressors to provide an emotional or mental health benefit by their presence. They may also be used to assist physical and occupational therapists. Therapy animals are generally registered, trained, and screened, but are not covered by laws as are service animals.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

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MeSH Record

See Also

MeSH Record

Synonyms

28 entry terms
  • Pet Therapy Animals
  • Animal, Pet Therapy
  • Animal, Therapy
  • Animals, Pet Therapy
  • Animals, Therapy
  • Pet Therapy Animal
  • Therapy Animal
  • Comfort Animals
  • Emotional Support Animals
  • Emotional Support Dogs
  • Pet Therapy Dogs
  • Therapy Dogs
  • Animal, Comfort
  • Animal, Emotional Support
  • Animals, Comfort
  • Animals, Emotional Support
  • Comfort Animal
  • Dog, Emotional Support
  • Dog, Pet Therapy
  • Dog, Therapy
  • Dogs, Emotional Support
  • Dogs, Pet Therapy
  • Dogs, Therapy
  • Emotional Support Animal
  • Emotional Support Dog
  • Pet Therapy Dog
  • Therapy Dog
  • Therapy Dog, Pet

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

20 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings abnormalities, anatomy & histology, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, classification, economics, embryology, genetics, growth & development, history, immunology, injuries, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, physiology, psychology, surgery, urine, virology.

MeSH Record

History Note

2021

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Therapy Animals. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D000085703. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D000085703
  2. Therapy Animals. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110324054