History

This week is going to be mainly research because I am leaving Thursday morning for Ohio. Since the homework activity is a historic article I decided to research a few to get the most accurate history of this amazing practice. It turns out that animal companionship dates back to prehistoric times. When cave drawings demonstrate people sitting with wolves around a campfire. A 12,000 year old tomb was discovered in Israel with a human skeleton clutching to the remains of a puppy. The relationship with men and animal was truly strong. The first known use of therapy animals was in the 9th century in Gheel, Belgium. These animals were not the main focus of the program, but they were used to help the disabled learn to take care of animals for their daily living. In 1792, therapeutic animals were used in England to help treat insane people. This practice has been around since the beginning and animals are truly natural therapists. They provide a sense of feeling needed, love, they react to ones emotions, and even feel as if they are family. It is amazing what an animal can do for a human!