Mar 03 2008
Furry Friend has Competition
I think we have all read articles where animals have helped people overcome depression and loneliness. There are nursing homes that allow the residents to have pets. It has been shown that those residents have a better outlook and respond to medications and therapy at increasing rates when compared to those without a pet.
It sounds like man’s-best-friend may have a bit of competition. A study by Saint Louis University found that a lovable pooch named Sparky and a robotic dog, AIBO, were about equally effective at relieving the loneliness of nursing home residents and fostering attachments.
