do you think pets are tharaputic

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Yes, they are. I always feel better when I pet and snuggle with my cat.

Definitely for me but I wouldn't think so if you don't like animals or a particular species. I have had cats and dogs since I was a kid and we currently have a chocolate lab and a 4 month old kitten. I bond with them better than with people usually.

My dog is my best friend. I love Chico. :O)

Absolutely. I love my kitty. When I'm upset or melting down, I can pet her and it makes me feel a lot better.

My "therapy" cats helped me make it through university. They are such sweeties!

My Siberian husky, Exile, is the dog of my dreams: ) love him. Pets should have our lifespan.

my mom wouldnt let me have pets as a kid

Yes. Local cats tend to come into my home and adopt me......currently there's a ginger one doing that, and there's no doubt he cheers me up as a rule.

Animal therapy is quite a popular thing:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal-assisted_therapy
Looks like it may be good for Aspies - it's claimed to improve fine motor skills, balance, autistic spectrum symptoms, verbal group interactions, attention skills, self-esteem, anxiety, loneliness, memory, and interactions with others. I'd like to see the proof, but I don't doubt that animals might be able to help with all those things.

I've heard that some autistic people can have sensory issues with animals, which can make the whole idea a non-starter.

My rat and my cat make me happy. I love them more than I love most humans.

I have to agree 100%. When I was growing up my best friends were the two dogs I had as a child. We (my family) had a dog that was a beagle/lab mix. We called her Cindy. I had her for the most part of the 1970s when I was growing up. She was an outside dog, and I loved to be outside with her. When I set up a tent in the backyard, she would often be just outside the door looking in at me. I loved to put my arms around her. She was so gentle. She always greeted me as I got off of the school bus. As I am typing this, my eyes have filled with tears thinking about her. I miss her. She died of Parvo virus before anything could be done about it.

My other dog I had at the same time. She was a Chihuahua named Tipsy. I was allergic to her, so she went to live at my grandparents' house. So I got to visit her a lot there. She died before Cindy because she had some sort of disease that caused terrible seizures.

These dogs were important parts of my life. They provided me with a trusting and faithful companionship that is priceless.

In another forum, a woman posted about how she feels animals should not be pets because of "SPCA" stories from her daughter after volunteering. She asked if anyone agreed. This was my reply:


"definitely NOT. With the right caretakers, humans can be incredibly beneficial for animals, and animals can be incredibly healing and therapeutic for us. They give us hope and something to live for when were at an all-time low. They sometimes are the only ones that will listen to us when we feel alone. They are the best and most sensitive friends for a sensitive soul. And those who are rescued share an unspoken understanding with people who are less fortunate and hold onto hope, perseverance, and Tenacity (the name of my own horse).

I work for a non profit therapeutic horse organization for children with special needs. Animals are angels on earth:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJhpTBD08Ec&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

nice signature =p

Oh, yeah! I forgot about that!

Woah. Your avatar is bringing back some memories!

Assuming you don't mean my avatar?

cuz that's just me oO

no. lol. I'm weird but not that weird! I meant the kitten illustration. Wonder why it didn't quote the OP? Hmm.