The Khujand Cancer Center has begun using pet therapy to assist its patients.

The Cancer Center head physician Furqat Mansourov says the animal-assisted therapy can play an important role psychological condition of the patient.

The Sughd government has reportedly allocated funds for improvement of the Cancer Center and opening of a pet’s corner at the Cancer Center.

Canarybirds, pheasants, pigeons, parrots and partridges reportedly live in the Center’s pet’s corner, bringing joy to the patients.  

Animals have been companions to humans since recorded time, but the use of this companionship to foster health and well-being has only recently taken off as a complementary therapy.  Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) was first used to assist those with mental illnesses beginning in the 1800s.  It was found to be a helpful adjunct to psychoanalysis by Sigmund Freud.  Animals as companions to those with physical illnesses became recognized only as recently as 1976 when Therapy Dogs International—followed closely by the Delta Society (now called Pet Partners)—was founded.

Pet therapy has been used and studied in many forms. Research has looked at both pet ownership as well as visiting pets and how they can relate to overall health.