Studies show that domestic pets can provide comfort and security, and it's more than just "man's best friend." other animals have the same therapeutic effect that dogs do, but if you want to take them into schools, nursing homes and shelters, there's a test that your pet needs to take. Action 12's Dustin Lattimer takes us to a "Delta Society" animal evaluation where paws and hoofs alike are getting qualified.

Up for evaluation is a handful of dogs and a horse. "There's a wide variety of animals that Delta will allow. Most of them are domesticated, they can't be exotic species," says Delta Society Evaluator, Debra Puett. The Delta Society's mission is to improve the health and well-being of humans through therapy and service animals.

Animals, like these, are lined up to pass several tests given by a Delta certified evaluator. "People call me in to evaluate their animal to see if they're able to go into the therapy type setting," says Puett.

The animals are put through tests to see how they react in social situations that are both calm and intense. "The point is you need an animal that's very calm, so you need to take them out in all sorts of social settings and get them calm and use to people," says Carol Parmenter, owner of two Delta Society registered pets.

Once these pets pass the exam, they're certified, by the Delta Society to act as therapy animals. "There's many studies out there that show it reduces stress, blood pressure, it helps your body to function better, it calms you at the end of the day," says Puett. "I raise miniature horses and they are wonderful to use for therapy animals, they're just wonderful, they're calm, they're reassuring and kids just love them," says Parmenter.

So, is your pet up to the test? "It just depends on the dog itself, its own temperament and how well the handler can bring them out," says Puett.

Just one of the many things you can do with a therapy animal is allow them to participate in a school reading program, where kids read out-loud to the pet. This gives the child confidence in reading and an audience to listen.