Can a Dog Also Be Your Therapist?

Some people might achieve mental clarity through a yoga class or an afternoon run, but for others spending quality time with an animal can be just the antidote to a difficult day. Just ask Martha Stewart (MSO - Cramer's Take - Stockpickr). The morning following her 2005 release from prison, the domestic diva took a long walk with her dog , Kublai Khan Paw Paw Chow Chow Chow. (Yes, you read that correctly.) On April 12, after 13 years doing television appearances, print ads and providing companionship, "Paw Paw" left the kitchen for good. In an extensive blog memorial to the "spectacular dog," Stewart said she was "heartbroken."

Of course not everyone can reap the rewards of pet ownership (they can be expensive and time-consuming), but sometimes they're the segments of society who could use a furry friend the most. Enter pet therapy. As the $16 billion a year U.S. market for antidepressants like Zoloft (PFE - Cramer's Take - Stockpickr)Prozac (LLY - Cramer's Take - Stockpickr) continues to thrive, alternative or complimentary treatments like animal assisted therapy are also gaining momentum. Click here to learn more about the qualifications and benefits of dog therapy.