Le terapie assistite con gli animali e le eventuali implicazioni di benessere per il cane = Animal assisted therapies and dog welfare implications .

"Pet-therapy" is the therapeutic use of pets, the "healing potential" of the animal serving the human health. As reported in several studies, the contact with an animal, in addition to ensure the replacement of a missing affection, is particularly suited to promote inter-personal contacts giving more chances to interact with others. Among all pets, the dog is the most widely used as pet therapist. The animal must be certified in good mental and physical health and that condition must be constantly monitored and guaranteed, in particular in stressful situations. All the activities performed by the dog during the pet therapy sessions, must be achieved without the use of negative stimuli and must ensure a good welfare of the animal and a correct relationship with the man.