First use of the term "pet therapy"

Although the therapeutic presence of animals has been acknowledged for centuries, the first person to formally research the phenomenon was psychologist Dr Boris Levinson (Lithuania, then Russian Empire; 1907-84). He presented a paper about the benefits of animal-assisted therapy to the American Psychological Association at a meeting held in New York City in August 1961; it received mixed reviews. In a subsequent paper, published in the journal Mental Hygiene in April 1964, he coined the expression "pet therapy".

Dr Levinson first struck upon the notion of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) in 1953 when working with a young traumatized child; he noticed that the child became more relaxed and talkative whenever his dog, Jingles, was present in the sessions. Dr Levinson went on to publish the book Pet-Oriented Child Psychotherapy (1969), cementing his reputation as the "father of AAT".

There have been records of animals being used as part of recuperation, from both physical and mental trauma, for millennia. In ancient Greece, sacred dogs were given free run to interact with injured worshipers in temples dedicated to demi-god of medicine Asklepios. In 9th-century Belgium, in the town of Gheel, those with disabilities were prescribed therapie naturelle, part of which involved animal husbandry. Perhaps the most famous proponent of therapy animals is 19th-century nurse and social reformer Florence Nightingale, who recommended small pets be permitted on to wards to bring comfort to patients.