title: Review: children and companion animals.
abstract: The literature concerning the relationship between the child and companion animal is reviewed including the possible use of companion animals as aids in the psychotherapy of children. The literature pertaining to cruelty to animals is also discussed. It is concluded that the evidence available is sufficient to justify further research into interactions between children and companion animals both in therapy and in the population generally, and some possible approaches are suggested.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005196:Family Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012919:Social Behavior; D014754:Violence