What is Zootherapy? The Zootherapy (Therapy Attended or Facilitated by Animals) is a therapeutic device that is based on the interaction between animals and human beings. This interaction helps the rehabilitation process and improves the quality of life of the person. The therapeutic effects that the animals can have in all and each one of the scopes of the life of the human beings are really amazing and they are possible to be corroborated in the results that are obtained. The surprising thing is in which the profits are obtained in a smaller time than in a therapy or conventional treatment. Then when speaking of animals we not only thought about dogs and cats, but that in addition we included the horses, the dolphins and the animals of farm; like the poultries, the pigs, the ewes, etc. The animals that take part are denominated "Cotherapists". Nowadays the dogs and the horses are the known cotherapists more. The Zootherapy it is not possible to be fitted within the different styles from therapies that are known, like for example the Conductual, Cognitive or the Psychoanalysis therapies. Although it shares some aspects with the mentioned ones, is not possible to be reduced to no of them, since in my opinion, it exceeds them. And I say that it exceeds them since in Zooterapia the one is not only the therapist that operates through its professional practice, also we counted on the animals, our cotherapists. They comprise important of the sessions, in principle, through the interaction animal-patient the therapist obtains the necessary data about the patient and programs later activities to reach the proposed results. The activities that compose the Zooterapia design according to the problematic one of each patient in individual and they are developed in a certain time. These activities, that are based mainly on the game and they are complemented with long walks next to the dog, will be more of active or more passive character according to the case. The interaction with an animal, coverall with a dog, implies one narrow relation of affection. It is known that the animals are unconditional to the human beings, can be playing hours or listening a person without discriminating nor forming value judgments. It is possible to emphasize that in this relation animal-patient the frustration does not exist. Many testimonies confirm that to have a dog or a cat it helps to a person by the mere fact to be present. It is as well as it does not fit doubt of efficient cotherapists how are the animals. It is as well as it does not fit doubt of efficient cotherapists how are the animals.   Who practice it? In Zooterapia as much people work in equipment (therapists) as animals (cotherapists). Those people who wish to carry out east type of therapy will have professional to be related to the area of the health: Occupational psychologists, Psycholgists, Physiotherapists, Psychiatrists and Doctors in general who have an ecological spirit and feel a special affection by the animals. The presence of a Veterinary Doctor in the equipment is essential for the health and the care of the animals, as much in which it does to the physicist like a the psychic thing. A Trainer and a Etologist are necessary to form the interdisciplinary equipment. Lamentably in our country we counted on little formation in which she does to the Zooterapia, therefore, the people whom they love to begin to develop this therapy must have many desire to learn day to day and to surpass themselves through each discovery that can be made actually. Without doubt it is the practice the one that will offer the richest material to us, in addition to the continuous search of information. The Lic. Elsa SZWARCMAN has been working in our country for 15 years in the Service of Zooterapia of the Government of Cuidad of Buenos Aires, and at the moment it is dictating courses to be able to enable all those people whom they love to work in this technique. In other countries the specializations in relation to this type of therapy exist, like for example in the United States, where they are of public knowledge the results that it offers. It is important to clarify that the Zooterapia is not recognized like a scientific activity, in spite of his excellent results. One is due to carry out certain procedures to validate a therapy, and of that way to recognize it scientist, in the case of this type of therapy, this process of validation becomes somewhat troublesome due to the amount of variables that appear of the side of the animals, to those who consider the genuine means of the positive results.   What kind of animals are preferred for Zootheraphy? Previously it was clarified that it is possible to be worked with horses, dolphins and animals of farm, but without doubt, the dog is the animal that have the best conditions to develop the activities of the Zootherapy. The ideal animal is the dog due to its characteristics, that is to say: its incondicionalidad towards the people, its fidelity, its facility to learn, its predisposition to obedience, and by the affection that offers among other things. A dog never will make differences by ages, by physical or psychic capacities, by as the person shines, however always will give all its affection. A person will never feel like frustration in the relation with a dog. Any dog can be cotherapist, as long as it fulfills the requirements that are needed to develop the included activities in the Zooterapia. It is not necessary that it is of race, but we must make sure that "to work of cotherapist", it will not damage the animal, is worth to say, that this one to carry out this therapy is a pleasant activity. It is here then where we were with a first requirement, the animal must be very dynamic; that the daily quota of exercise is satisfied. It is as well as races exist, that by their characteristics, become ideals to evolve in this area, like for example the LABRADOR and GOLDEN RETRIEVER. The labrador or golden demonstrate them an inexhaustible delivery, are very affectionate by nature, have a level of intelligence very elevated, are highly entrenables and extremely obedient. In order to always know if a dog fulfills or with the necessary conditions we do not have to carry out an integral examination of the same one, considering, as I said it previously, that the animal perceives the activities like pleasure and not like a punishment. In order to select a dog the Test of Campbell is used that counts on 5 ítems. The Veterinarian also makes a clinical test that he includes examination of vision, hearing and sensitivity to the pain. The dogs receive a basic training of obedience, and in addition it trains them through the game. He must himself consider that works under conditions of hygiene meticulously controlled, as much in which makes to the dogs like as the facilities and material that are in use. The dogs take a strict veterinary clinical control.   Where else in Argentina zootherapy is practiced? In the Elizalde Hospital (ex- Casa-Cuna) a program for autism is carried out. Also in the Parque Roca it is developed a program of zootherapy in charge of the Lic. Szwarcman, employee of the GCBA to which they go young and adolescent with diverse pathologies, like for example autism, emotional upheavals, upheavals of locomotion, etc. In which it makes Horses assisted Theraphy, several centers in our country exist in where it is carried out, some of them are: the Hipódromo de San Isidro and the Fundación Argentina Científica Establo Terapéutica (F.A.C.E.T.), that is located in the city of Ituzaingó, Province of Buenos Aires. Who are intended to help? In general, any person can benefit with the Therapy Attended by Animals, since the contact with them makes life more happy, but is indicated specially it in: People with some discapacidad, psychic physics or. People with Hypertension. People with Stress. People who suffered accidents. Autismo. Psychosis. Depression. People with problems in the social relations. Children with learning problems. Children with conduct problems. The zootherapy can be developed of group or individual way. It can be carried out in a fixed certain space or be inserted in institutions, like for example: Recreational centers, Hospitals, Centers, Clubs, Jails, etc.