Throughout history , humans have relied on animals as a way of improving mental health . They 've been our transport , our friends , our beasts of burden , we 've won wars on them , '' she said . Animal therapy has grown in popularity in Europe in recent years . Some believe it can help depression , bipolar disorder and other issues . Hard evidence remains scarce , largely anecdotal .
Throughout history , humans have relied on animals as a way of improving mental health . Animal therapy has grown in popularity in Europe in recent years . Some believe it can help depression , bipolar disorder and other issues . Hard evidence remains scarce , largely anecdotal .