The value of pets for human health.

A wide range of potions, pills and other therapies are prescribed every day in a bid to remedy the vast array of physical and mental disorders afflicting the British public. Many of these treatments come with a range of unpleasant, not to mention, costly, side-effects. But could the solution be simpler than this? Might our pets, for example, offer a slightly less bitter pill to swallow? This article explores the evidence for animals being able to promote human wellbeing, and examines whether or not they have a role to play in modern health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]