In an article on dogtime.com, it explains how dogs are used to "benefit patients suffering with emotional and behavioral disorders, depression, autism, substance abuse and dementia." Having a pet helps a lot to calm people who suffer from emotionally-based disorders.

The article states that, "Frequently reported benefits from pet therapy programs include a reduction in stress, a boost in self-esteem, improved mood, and better communication skills."

The article focuses mainly on how pet therapy helps mental health, dementia, and substance abuse. When it comes to mental health, interacting with pets seems to have great effect on people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, autism, and challenging psychiatric disorders.

When one focuses on petting dogs and the dogs needs before their own, it helps take their mind off of their problems. It has also been reported that pet therapy has helped the overall well-being of prisoners, like helping their behavior and emotional state.

Pet therapy helps people who suffer from dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

There was a study done in Germany over a period of six months where there were "structured dog visits to 17 nursing home residents with mild to severe dementia." The study showed that pet therapy helps improve verbal communication skills and greater attentiveness.

The University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing's research team figured out that because patients had pet therapy, they showed less symptoms of sundown syndrome.

Sundown Syndrome is a "distressing condition associated with dementia that happens in the early evening period and involves behaviors such as restlessness, confusion, wandering, hitting, and kicking." When the therapy dogs were present that evening, it seemed to distract and relax the patients.

Pet therapy has also been known to help calm down substance abuse users and help them face their demons. Addicts are often very focused on themselves, but having a pet to focus their attention to rather than on themselves, it encourages them to think about others and takes their mind off their problems.

Addicts are also more likely to be social in group settings if there's an animal in the room.

The article states, "Doctors observing how the addict deals with the animal also get a greater insight into the patients self-esteem issues, helping them identify specific coping mechanisms and healthier new behaviors."

Pet therapy can help in many ways such as mental health, dementia, and substance abuse.