Butterflies for phobias, goats to help you sleep. Iguanas for eating problems, bearded dragons for anxiety¹. People are turning to animals for therapy and emotional support. And sometimes, it gets them into trouble with the law.

The authorities in Virginia Beach, US, told Nicholas Olenik that his emu broke city rules on keeping livestock. These flightless birds grow to 1.9m tall and live wild in Australia. Olenik bought Nimbus for $150 (£120) and raised her at home with six chickens, three ducks and a turkey.

His wildfowl housemates helped him deal with grief after his father and brother died. Taking Nimbus for a walk got him out of the house and talking to strangers, curious about his feathered friend. And last month, a judge agreed that Nimbus is a "companion animal".

This is nothing new, says expert John Bradshaw: "Pets make us human." We have formed close relationships with animals for thousands of years. The first was the domestic dog, a beast bred from wild wolves to be affectionate and obedient.

Using animals for therapy began in the 19th Century. Florence NightingaleAn English nurse who cared for patients during the Crimean war, and is known for her pioneering work in statistics and social reforms. owned an owl called Athena and noted that "a small pet is an excellent companion for the sick". She gave Jimmy the tortoise to wounded soldiers in the Crimean WarA conflict between Russia and an alliance of nations, including France, Britain, and the Ottoman Empire. The war lasted from 1853 until 1856. and saw his calming effect.

Therapy dogs were pioneered by psychoanalyst Sigmund FreudAn Austrian psychoanalyst who was one of the world's foremost authorities on psychology in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. Although his ideas have been discredited in the scientific community, he remains influential for literary scholars., who brought his dog Jofi into therapy sessions. Research shows canines smell and hear emotions, picking up on the stress and anxiety of a patient or pet owner².

But animal-assisted psychotherapists like Yoni Yehuda say this is about more than cuddles and emotional sensitivity. At his therapeutic centre, hundreds of animals are used to help patients. Handling worms or caring for crickets gives people a sense of purpose and control. It is a healing, unconditional form of love, says Yehuda.

A study in the US showed "soothing" puppy-petting reduces stress in university students, lowering drop-out rates.³ Two hundred years ago, the young poet Lord ByronAn English poet (1788 - 1824) known for both beautiful short lyrics and entertaining epic poems. was banned from bringing his beloved dog Boatswain onto campus. In revenge, he showed up with a bear.

Today, emotional support animals include Wally the alligator⁴ and Dexter the peacock⁵. But can a reptile or a bird be a true friend? Do they lack the depth of human friendships without a shared language and mutual understanding?

Psychologist Patricia Ganea says children are encouraged to imagine that animals have human desires and thoughts. But this can "lead to inappropriate behaviours" like treating wild animals as pets. But biologist Carl Safina argues it is better than saying we have nothing in common.

"We should get better acquainted with the animals we share the world with," Safina says. "If only because they are so beautiful and so interesting."

Olenik's victory was bittersweet. While waiting for the court decision, Nimbus went to stay on a farm in Tennessee. There she made a new best friend. Another emu called Oreo.

Yes: Humans can be cruel and cause each other emotional suffering. Animals do not judge us or hold grudges. The simplicity of these relationships can heal people who have been hurt by human interaction.

No: Animals are a poor substitute for human friendship. Creatures offer comfort and company. But they do not challenge us and force us to grow. And they do not share our ideas, hopes and fears.

Or... We need both types of friendship in our lives. Our pets give us peace and a stronger connection to nature. But we must live in society, and our animal friends can teach us to make better human ones.