Demirağ, Hatice; Hintistan, Sevilay

Pet therapy or animal-assisted therapy is a form of adjunctive nonpharmacologic treatment that stimulates physiological and psychological diseases with interactions between animals and animals that meet certain criteria and stimulates the necessary body mechanisms in the development of human health and behavior.In many studies using robot simulations with many domestic animals such as cats, dogs, birds and fish, the benefits of pet therapy on the elderly health and behavior have been proven. However, there is no clear information about the use of elderly in the treatment of schizophrenia and depression.Therapy has been proven by epidemiological studies that can reduce blood pressure in elderly and hypertensive individuals and reduce the risk of complications in those with cardiovascular disease by increasing physical activity when administered together with conducting dogs. Despite the fact that studies on pet therapy are inadequate and generally have not yet been implemented in our country, pet ownership is increasing due to the positive subjective feelings that many people have against animals. In this article; The effects on the elderly health of pet therapy applications have been examined in the light of the literature.