Film Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 8

Film - Essay Example However, even though the films are of same genre and have similar background themes, the setting and the characters are distinct, and have unique personalities. The films ‘It Happened One Night’ (1934) and ‘Maid in Manhattan’ (2002) have similar background themes where a wealthy person falls in love with a ‘commoner.’ The love interest gets the wealthy characters (Ellie and Chris) distracted from the goals they had set to achieve. For example, in the movie ‘It Happened One Night,’ the female character Ellie runs away from her wealthy father to get married to a man of her choice. However, when she meets Peter and gets to know him during their travel to New York, she falls in love with him and gets distracted from the goal for which she had run away from her father. Similarly, in the film ‘Maid in Manhattan,’ Christopher Marshall who is a senatorial candidate, gets distracted from his goal of focusing on his campaign when he falls in love with a maid working in a classy hotel in which he stays. However, the contrast in the theme is that when Ellie confesses her love towards Pete r, he agrees that he is also in love with her. However, the character of Marissa, who is a maid, tries to avoid Christopher when she realizes that he is romantically interested in her. The other difference in the themes of the films is the truth about the characters who are ‘commoners’. In the movie ‘It Happened One Night,’ Peter discloses his real self to Ellie right from the beginning, and that too, with certain flamboyance and charm. On the other hand, Chris misunderstands Marissa as a socialite guest at the hotel, and considers her as a wealthy woman and not a ‘commoner’. Hence, when Chris falls in love with Marissa, he is not aware about her true identity of a maid. In this way, even though basic themes of the films are similar, the shades of the characters are different. The basis of the romantic comedies

Hatshepsut Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Hatshepsut - Research Paper Example III. Analysis of Hatshepsut A. The World Scene 1. Hatshepsut ruled Egypt for about twenty-two years from 1479 to 1458 B.C 2. Hatshepsut faced problems related to gender discrimination in leadership positions, and typical feminine representations. 3. Several factors around Hatshepsut facilitated her reign and success as an Egyptian pharaoh, such as the death of Thomose I, absence of appropriate successor, and Egypt’s wealth as well as peace. B. Actions of Hatshepsut 1. Hatshepsut is renowned as a prolific builder because of her spectacular Egyptian monuments and temples featured in ancient Egyptian history. 2. Hatshepsut attained significant achievements in trade and military expeditions. C. Impact of Hatshepsut 1. Hatshepsut provides an affirmative perspective on women leadership 2. Hatshepsut revealed the need for women to stand against discriminative policies and rules. 3. Hatshepsut’s made exceptional contributions to politics 4. Hatshepsut made contributions in arch itectural designs through her creative concepts embedded in monuments as well as temples. IV. Conclusion A. Hatshepsut was an influential leader whose actions and decisions affect the history of the world, especially Egypt. B. Historical figures make great history Hatshepsut’s Historical Contributions Introduction Historical figures are significant contributors of world History. The apparition of their intellect, exquisiteness of their art, their divine inspiration as well as leadership prowess results to enhancement of the world’s history. Some historians argue that societal, economic, and technological aspects are more imperative to history compared to individuals’ actions and decisions. However, historical figures or great men are credited for various essential developments in the past that significantly feature in contemporary recorded history. This paper will analyze Hatshepsut’s contributions during her reign as an Egyptian pharaoh with respect to t he Great Man theory by Thomas Carlyle, and it will also attempt to reveal the importance of historical figures’ actions and decisions in history. Analysis of Hatshepsut Background Hatshepsut was Thutmose I and Queen Ahmose’s eldest daughter, wife to Thutmose II, mother to Neferure. Hatshepsut was one of the renowned, triumphant pharaohs as well as famous female-ruler in history, whose time in power superseded those of other women in the native Egyptian dynasty. The name Hatshepsut refers to the â€Å"most noble of noble ladies† signifying her unprecedented power attainment among ancient Egyptian women, and eventual crowning as pharaoh during the eighteenth dynasty. Hatshepsut initially acted as a co-regent to her stepson; Thutmose III, but she became pharaoh after about seven years. This marked Hatshepsut’s desertion of Queen’s roles as well as titles with the commencement of her reign as a female and conventional pharaoh. Hatshepsut reputation as a remarkable pharaoh is associated with various outstanding activities that took place during her reign. These included her participation in trade as well as armies expeditions, construction of some of the greatest Egyptian monuments, and acquisition of male roles in her leadership as pharaoh. Furthermore, Hatshepsut remained in power as pharaoh for twenty-two years before the reign of her successor, Thutmose III (Hill 3). The World Scene Hatshepsut ruled Egypt for about

Hematology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Hematology - Essay Example In the blood system, Pluripotent haematopoetic cells become any type of cell. The type of a cell to become is determined by pluripotent cells that differentiate it in a wise way. 1 Proliferation is multiplication of blood cells in a human being. When an embryo is being developed, formation of blood takes place in the yolk sac in aggregate of blood cells. Blood formation takes place in the liver, spleen and lymph nodes and development goes to advance stages. Eventually, the task of blood formation is taken by bone marrows in the entire body system when they develop. However, proliferation of lymphoid cells usually occurs in the secondary lymphoid organs such as lymph nodes, spleen and thymus. In adult, haematopoiesis usually takes place in marrows of long bones like femurs and also in ribs and sternum where we have spongy bones. At times, spleen, liver and thymus recommence their haematopoietic function commonly known as extramedullary haematopoiesis. 2 Differentiation is a process whereby cells acquire a type in regard to haemopoiesis. During differentiation, cell morphology changes drastically although generic material still remain the same with some few exceptions. In many aspects of cell physiology, differentiation involves changes in regard to shape, metabolic activities, polarity, size, and responsiveness to signals whereas gene expression profil

Development 1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Development 1 - Essay Example 1 Balanced growth (1953) The theory of balanced growth was proposed by Ragnar Nurkse in 1953. This theory was framed on the fact that newly independent economies could not achieve faster economic development due to the rapidity in basic commodity exports. The imported industrial commodities were the only alternatives which could have expanded the destroyed economies. In other words, the balanced growth or simultaneous enlargement of all industries was the most appropriate way to stimulate the economic growth of underdeveloped economies. At the same time, this type of growth necessitated the accumulation of large resources at one time. According to Nurkse (1953), â€Å"poor developing economies were characterized by a large surplus of labour employed at zero marginal cost in the traditional sector† (cited in Hayami, Hayami and Godo, 135). Nurkse’s model failed to provide adequate alternatives for the development of newly independent economies. Take-off into sustained gro wth (1956) Rostow (1956) defines Take-off into sustained growth model as, â€Å"the interval during which the rate of investment increases in such a way that real output per capita rises† (cited in Crouzet, 153). He also proposes certain conditions for the application of this theory. Rostow says that the proportion of net investment to national income must rise from 5% to 10% in order to satisfy the terms of the theory. Although Rostow connected his theory with the events occurred in Great Britain and several other countries, the theorist could not get any support from the available quantitative data (153). Critical minimum effort thesis (1957) Harvey Leibenstein (1957 cited in Gupta, 176), in his Critical Minimum Effort thesis, says that initial stimulants to development must possess a critical minimum size in order to achieve sustained growth. He continues that change in the value of a set of variables causes the economic backwardness and it possesses a certain degree of st eadiness. Since the economy is subjected to frequent shocks, the actual value of the variables will always be different from that of equilibrium values. Although these stimulants have the capacity to raise the per capita incomes, it is not possible in economically backward regions due to the weakness of the magnitude of these stimulants. 2 The export-oriented industrialization strategy was introduced as a technique to reframe the underdeveloped economies. The essence of the theory is that large scale production and thereby exports would enhance the economic growth of the country. Hence, developing countries too much depended on the exports of a few primary products in order to bridge the wider gap with advanced economies. Dijck, Linnemann and Verbruggen (3) tells that as a result of this strategy, more and more foreign investors were attracted towards the country so that these developing nations were compelled to arrange all favorable investment situations for the foreigners. It cau sed severe challenges to governments as they faced with huge difficulties in implementing the planned budgets and other policies. In addition, the governments lost huge amounts on possible receipts as a result of unfavorable incentive schemes. Similarly, the export-oriented industrialisation caused curtailment of labor wages and it led to political oppression. This strategy influenced the developing natio

Environmental Sustainability through Conservation of Forests Research Paper

Environmental Sustainability through Conservation of Forests - Research Paper Example As the population of Canada grows and there is the need for more money or capital to sustain the socio-economic activities of humans, there arises the need to sustainably manage them for the benefit of human beings, animals as well as other plants. The conservation of forests is important as it focuses on the conservation of forests in terms of appropriating them in an environmentally sustainable manner while at the same time ensuring that the human economic activities are carried on. The forests in Canada serve very many purposes amongst them the provision of timber as the raw material for the timber products and construction such as paper, furniture, and building of homes. They also play a role in the upkeep and retention of water which is important in the water management and its conservation in an environment in which forests are situated. Apart from being habitat for various species of plants and animals, the forests also serve the important role of regulating the carbon cycle w hich includes the uptake and release of carbon dioxide and oxygen respectively. This is important for the existence of animals and plants as they take the gas that is relevant to their productivity and release the other that they do not need. The question that then comes about is why should we conserve and use the forests of Canada as a resource in a sustainable manner? Canada has one of the largest forests resources in the world measuring about 400 million hectares of forest cover which is 10 % of the world’s forest cover which is in grave danger of being depleted if it is not used in a sustainable manner. The forests in Canada provide shelter for several animals and act as water filter which provides fresh and clean water owing to the carbon cycle activity that it provides to the environment. This underscores the need for the conservation of these forests by whoever is concerned particularly the government, the industries involved in logging and the citizens at large. The n eed to conserve the forests of Canada stems from the fact that it is in danger of being used uneconomically due to the regulations set by the government as well as the failure by the stakeholders concerned to keep pace with the actual economic appropriation of the forests for its timber.

Macbeth Essay Example for Free

Macbeth Essay The first recurrent image is the dark or darkness. Dark represents evil and hell. All of our fears rise in the dark. We can see that most of the mains scenes happen in a dark place or during the night. In fact, all the murders and treasons are done in darkness as if the dark could cover and hide the horrible deeds. For example, in act I scene V l. 53 to 56, Lady Macbeth says: â€Å"Come thick night, And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell, that my keen knife see not the wound it makes, Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark, To cry, Hold! Hold! In this passage, Lady Macbeth is thinking about Duncan’s murder, and she wants to act in darkness so she will not see the murder. In that way darkness blinds out all of the terrible things that could be done. Then, the scene of Macbeth’s vision of the dagger happens in the complete darkness so the vision of his future murder comes to Macbeth only at night when no light can bring him back to goodness. Banquo’s murder also happens in the dark. Such evil deeds could only be done in the dark. Then during Lady Macbeth’s sleep walking, the only source of light comes from the candle that she keeps by her at night. In fact, Lady Macbeth is very afraid of darkness because it makes her remember of all the deeds that happened during the night. (Here, light has a positive reassuring role. ) In this scene, she reveals all the crimes that her husband committed with her support. In conclusion, darkness intensifies the horrible deeds and murders and brings a very fearful ambiance to the play. The second image is the one of the sleep that is kind of related to the one of the dark because dark and sleep comes together. Firstly, we can see that Duncan is killed during his sleep. This fact is even mentioned by Lady Macbeth in act II scene 2 l. 15 to 16: â€Å"Had he not resembled My father as he slept, I had done’t. † Then, in the same scene, Macbeth says l. 46 to 47: â€Å"Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep! † Ironically, he’s going to lose his sleep as well as Lady Macbeth who will become a sleep walker. Then, Lady Macbeth relates sleep with death, when she says in act II scene 2 l. 67 to 70: â€Å"The sleeping and the dead Are but as pictures: ‘tis the eye of childhood That fears a painted evil. † The second reference to sleep in relation to death is present in act II scene 3 l. 9 to 80: â€Å"Shake off this downy sleep, death’s counterfeilt, And look on death itself! † The third image that appears in the book is the image of the light. Light in opposite of the theme of darkness is representative of purity, God, goodness, heaven etc. Light is for Macbeth a disadvantage because all his actions consist on killing people, committing deeds and crimes and he doesn’t want any light to lighten his awful actions. For example, in act I, he says: â€Å"Stars, hide your fires; Let not loight see my black and deep desires: The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be, Which the eye fears, when it done, to see. Here, we understand that his desires are so terrible that he can’t even stand the thin light of the stars that shine on them; he doesn’t even want to look at them himself probably because he feels ashamed. We can also say that through his words, Macbeth constructs a bridge between light and morality. Within the whole drama, the sun seems to shine only twice. First, in the beautiful but ironical passage in which Duncan sees the swallows flirting around the castle of death (it’s Macbeth’s ca stle when he’s going to be murdered). The second time, when at the close of the army (who wants to take revenge) gathers to rid the earth of its shame. Therefore, the reader can conclude that Shakespeare portrays darkness to establish the evil parts of the play, we can say that he employs daylight to define victory or goodness (as it said before) in the play. The fourth and last theme is the animal. We found a lot of comparaison between the characters and the animals in this play, for example: â€Å"Raven himself is hoarse† said by Lady Macbeth in act I scene V. Raven represents death. Looks like the innocent flower but be the serpent under it. † Also said by Lady Macbeth in act I scene V. She says that his husband must look nice and calm on the outside but evil inside. â€Å"We have scorched the snake not killed it. † Said by Macbeth in act III scene II, this quote means that snake represents everything that prevents Macbeth from enjoying his kingship. â€Å"And Duncan’s horses, beauteous and swift, the minions of their race, turned wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out, contending ‘gainst obedience, as they would make war with mankind† said by Ross in act II scene IV. Here, Ross says that Duncan’s horses were acting strange. They broke out of their stalls and started to attack anyone who came in their way. Another image appear in act III scene IV, said by Macbeth : â€Å"Approach thou like the rugged Russian bear. † Here, Macbeth is describing how the ghost of Banquo is hauting him by coming closer to him like a bear. These imageries of animals which symbolizes the different character of the play, helps to make the play’s atmosphere from supernatural nature. Shakespeare uses animal imagery to characterize, to show emotions and also to foreshadow.

Animal Assisted Therapy

Animal Assisted Therapy The man-animal bond has existed since time immemorial and has always been a beautiful one. Keeping a pet is a wonderful and rewarding experience and has many advantages. Animal therapy, also called Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT), consists of a wide range of activities and a diverse group of animals that are able to help. [Animal therapy, also called Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT), is a blanket term for a wide range of activities, good-for-you benefits, and a diverse group of animals that are able to help.] 7 This process is a goal directed intervention in which an animal meeting specific criteria is an integral part of the treatment process. [Animal assisted therapy (AAT) is a goal directed intervention in which an animal meeting specific criteria is an integral part of the treatment process] 7 Dogs, cats, rabbits, fish, horses, dolphins, elephants and birds have calming effect on humans [However, rabbits, fish, horses, dolphins, elephants, birds, and lizards can also be considered calming, as well as other small animals]. 6 Programs involving these types of animals are being introduced into the therapeutic regimens of many health care institutions: nursing homes, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, psychiatric institutions and even correctional facilities [3]. [Companion animals are being introduced into the therapeutic regimens of many health care institutions: nursing homes, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, psychiatric instiutions and others] 2 Therapeutic horse riding programs have been proven to increase the strength and stability of physically and mentally challenged individuals. The repetitive motion of sitting on the horse is known to help balance and coordination and thus improve the motor skills. This is also known as equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) [2]. [horse therapies have been proven to increase the strength and stability of physically and mentally challenged individuals. Specifically, horse AAT therapy is called equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP)] 6 Fish tanks, seen in restaurants, homes, doctors offices, in shopping malls and aquariums are larger than life stress relievers. [Fish tanks have long been seen in restaurants, homes, doctors offices, in shopping malls, and aquariums are larger than life stress relievers] 6 Dolphin therapy started in the 1970s in Florida as a way to motivate children with Down syndrome. [. Dolphin therapy started in the 1970s in Florida as a way to motivate children with Down syndrome.] 6 A marine biologist Amanda Green says that dolphins use their underwater sonar waves as a healing process to boost T-cells in humans. Many therapists believe that a dolphins sonar causes a phenomenon called cavitation inside the soft body tissue of the human body. It precipitates a ripping apart of the molecules [6]. [A marine biologist Amanda Green, says that research is currently being done to support this but new hospital methods are offering technology that acts like sonar, Many therapists believe that a dolphins sonar causes a phenomenon called cavitation inside the soft body tissue of the human body.] 6 Pets also help inmates in correctional facilities and juvenile offenders to learn empathy and compassion [2]. [Pets help inmates in correctional facilities and juvenile offenders to learn empathy and compassion.] 2 Pets have proved to be great stress busters. Gazing at fish swimming lazily in the aquarium soothes ones nerves and reduces stress. The physical contact of petting an animal is relaxing and studies have shown that it helps lower blood pressure.[ Medical studies and clinical research show that a therapy dog can not only have medical benefits such as stress relief, or lower blood pressure] Since dogs and cats are the most common household pets, it should be no surprise that cuddling with them can provide a calm and soothing relief. [Since dogs and cats are the most common household pets, no one should be surprised that cuddling with your little friends can provide a calm and soothing relief.] 6 While dolphins and horses have important physical and emotional benefits, they cannot live inside the house. Dogs can! Dogs that are specially trained to work with the disabled persons offer many different services. They can guide people who are visually impaired, alert people who are hearing impaired to specific sounds, get help when a person has a seizure, as well as retrieve dropped items, open doors, and assist the person with postural balance. [1] [They can guide people who are visually impaired, alert people who are hearing impaired to specific sounds, get help when a person has a seizure, as well as retrieve dropped items, open doors, and assist the person with balance. ] 1 Dogs also provide companionship that is critical to the development of children with disabilities, says Elcock [1]. [A variety of programs nationwide use animals to assist children with chronic illness and disabilities, notes Maryellen Elcock, Ph.D] 1 Perhaps the most well-known method of animal assisted therapy is used with dogs. Besides dogs being wonderful companions and helpful to the blind, trained dogs are brought to schools, hospitals, and nursing homes in order to bring joy [2].   Just the simple act of spending time with a dog, and the exercise involved with petting and walking with a dog helps patients and the elderly exert themselves physically. [Just the simple act of spending time with a dog, and the exercise involved with petting and walking with a dog helps patients and the elderly exert themselves physically] 6 Within the first hour of spending time with a dog, a persons blood pressure is known to drop, mental function improves, and smiles often show up. Certain trained dogs are able to help patients with their wheelchair abilities and memory problems. Loneliness can be curbed by spending time with a friendly animal. [Within the first hour of spending time with a dog, a persons blood pressure is known to drop, mental function improves, and smiles often show up. Certain trained dogs are able to assist patients with their wheelchair abilities, cognitive function, memory problems, and some patients even adopt maternal instincts while interacting with the animals. Loneliness can be curbed by spending time with a friendly animal and some think cats can also provide such love.] 6 Animal-assisted activities and animal-assisted therapy applies one of the strongest benefits of the human-animal bond the power to heal. Many organizations are associated with these activities. Canine Assistants is a Georgia-based organization that trains dogs to help children and adults across the country with physical disabilities resulting from muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, automobile accidents and other causes. [Canine Assistants is a Georgia-based organization that trains dogs primarily labradors and golden retrievers to help children and adults across the country with physical disabilities resulting from muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, automobile accidents and other causes] 1 These dogs can do some remarkable tasks for their disabled handlers. They can turn lights on and even open doors. Once they go home with a participant, they can build on the skills they have learned and accomplish even more specific tasks even helping with the laundry or making a bed, says Kellie Mann, programs coordinator for Canine Assistants [1]. [Once they go home with a participant, they can build on the skills they have learned and accomplish even more specific tasks even helping with the laundry or making a bed, says Kellie Mann, programs coordinator for Canine Assistants. ] 1 The therapeutic potential and spiritual qualities of companion animals have long been recognized from the Ancient Egyptians who worshipped cats, even mummifying them and burying them in sacred vaults along the River Nile, to the Ancient Greeks who kept healing dogs in their temples. [Ancient Egyptians who worshipped cats, even mummifying them and burying them in sacred vaults along the River Nile, to the Ancient Greeks who kept healing dogs in their temples] 3 Florence Nightingale was one of the first people to advocate the benefits of companion animals for the chronically sick. [Florence Nightingale was one of the first people to advocate the benefits of companion animals for the chronically sick] 3 American child psychologist Boris Levinson is the first person to be credited with the formal use of animals in AAT within a clinical field in 1962. Levinson discovered that he could make significant progress during the treatment of a disturbed child when his dog Jingles was also present during the sessions. [3]   Kids and animals are natural companions. For children with disabilities, that companionship can also include invaluable physical and emotional therapy. Whether its strengthening muscles through horseback riding, feeling motivated to improve while swimming with dolphins or gaining confidence with the help and companionship of a service dog, kids with disabilities can benefit from many different kinds of animals. Animals offer all children the chance to connect to another living being, says Dr. Abhaey Kripalani, Secretary, Minds and Souls Rehabilitation and Research Foundation on Children with Disabilities. But for kids with disabilities, animals can also provide invaluable therapy, he says. Riding a horse, for example, can help a child physically strengthen his or her muscles while also serving as recreation that builds self-esteem [1].   Dr. Anjana Maitra, in her book: Pet Therapy: A New Healing Concept: states that 92% patients hospitalized in coronary care units for angina or heart attack found that those who owned pets were more likely to be alive a year later than those who did not. The study found that only 6% of patients who owned pets died within a year compared with 28% of those who did not own pets. 9 In Thrive, Volume 2, Issue 9, July 2008, A Four-Legged Cure, Heather Grimshaw states that researchers around the world have shown a direct correlation between pet ownership and improved health. [Researchers around the world have shown a direct correlation between pet ownership and improved health] 4 From increased survival rates after heart attacks and surgery to reducing stress, depression, and anxiety, pet ownership may not just improve mental and physical health, it may actually extend a persons life [4].   According to a case report, the use of AAA highlights a Labrador Retriever named Murphy who helped a four year old child with cerebral palsy take her first steps. As the child took slow steps forward, Murphy would respond by taking steps backward, thereby motivating the child to continue taking steps. The child was able to take four steps for the first time in her life [5]. A study of middle-aged schizophrenic patients showed improvement in adaptive functioning during AAT program. 5 An Independent Living Skills tool was then used to rate patients behaviors. It was found that patients health, domestic activities, and social skills improved significantly. [4] [An Independent Living Skills tool was then used to rate patients behaviors] 5 Edward Creagan, MD, a professor at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, has encouraged oncology patients to get pets for the last 30 years. Studies suggest that pets can do more than keep you young at heart, he said during an educational summit called PAWSitive InterAction in Atlanta. They can help keep your heart-and the rest of you-younger and healthier. [Edward Creagan, MD, a professor at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, has encouraged oncology patients to get pets for the last 30 years. Studies suggest that pets can do more than keep you young at heart, he said during an educational summit called PAWSitive InterAction in Atlanta. They can help keep your heart-and the rest of you-younger and healthier.] 4 To support his recommendations, Creagan cited studies, which show that pet owners are four times more likely to live a full year after surviving a heart attack than non-owners. In the study cited, 28 percent of the patients without pets died before one year. [4] [To support his recommendations, Creagan cited studies, which show that pet owners are four times more likely to live a full year after surviving a heart attack than non-owners. In the study cited, 28 percent of the patients without pets died before the one-year mark] 4 A wellness program involving animal health, human health and environmental concerns should be done for animals participating in AAA and AAT. All animals involved in this therapeutic work should be healthy and of good temperament. Animals should be closely monitored for signs of stress. They also undergo periodic behavioral assessment and if needed, participate in behavior monitoring and rehabilitation program. Optimal environment should be provided to all animals in the form of toys, regular walks or grooming. Good veterinary care should be provided to all the involved animals.[7] [Animal assisted activities, animal-assisted therapy, and resident animal programs should be governed by basic standards, be regularly monitored, and be staffed by appropriately trained personnel.] 7 Pet assisted therapy is a tremendous tool in improving patient communication, self esteem, physical movement, mood and sociability. [ Studies have shown that pet assisted therapy is a tremendous tool in improving patient communication, cognitive function, self esteem, physical movement, mood and sociability] 8 Many children will have disabilities for the rest of their lives, but working with animals can give them the motivation, physical therapy, comfort, companionship and confidence that often lead to real progress in their abilities. [Many children will have disabilities for the rest of their lives, but working with animals can give them the motivation, physical therapy, comfort, companionship and confidence that often leads to real progress in their abilities] 1 The use of animal-assisted therapy has grown tremendously in recent times, particularly in the United States, where there are more than 2,000 programs [3].