therapy animal

[ ther-uh-pee an-uh-muhl ]

noun

an animal trained to play a role in a physical or emotional therapeutic treatment plan, as a horse helping a rider develop muscle tone or a dog providing cognitive engagement for nursing home residents.

Origin of therapy animal

First recorded in 1990–95

As long as the goal is to be mindful, observant, and surrounded by nature, anything, from taking a walk in the park to snuggling with a therapy animal, or even filling indoor spaces with more plants, qualifies.
Boost your health with a little nature therapy | Alisha McDarris | November 28, 2021 | Popular-Science
The baby seal was designed to calm and comfort patients in hospitals and nursing rooms — essentially a way to bring the benefits of therapy animals without having to have actual animals involved.
An earnest review of a robotic cat pillow | Brian Heater | December 30, 2020 | TechCrunch
They appear at festivals and weddings and have even been deployed as therapy animals.
Llamas are hotter than ever. Here’s why. | By Emily Wakild/The Conversation | December 21, 2020 | Popular-Science

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