A new study offers statistical evidence that animals can reduce loneliness in residents of long-term care facilities.

Until now, almost all published results on the subject have been anecdotal. In this study, participants were questioned about their history with pets and were ranked on a psychological test for loneliness.

The researchers found even one 30-minute-long session of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) reduced loneliness to a statistically significant degree.

Participants would tell their therapy animals about former pets

Long-term care residents are typically widowed women aged 75 or older. Of the 45 participants in the study, only two did not have pets during their childhood. Many residents told the researchers that, given a choice, they would continue their relationship with a pet.

Marian Banks of the VA Medical Center in St. Louis and William Banks of St. Louis University School of Medicine found participants would talk to their therapy animals about past events with their former pets.

For example, one resident asked the dog if it had gone hunting. She remembered fondly how her pet dog would catch squirrels and rabbits.

The study appears in the July issue of Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences.