Animal assisted therapy (AAT) is the use of certified therapy animals as a part of a therapeutic plan. The use of animals in therapy is described as a "significant part of treatment for many people who are physically, socially, emotionally or cognitively challenged." Those in hospitals or nursing homes often benefit from AAT, especially children and the elderly. While animals such as horses and cats can make excellent therapy animals, dogs are by far the most common type of certified therapy animals at work in our communities today.