If your comforting critter knows just how to improve your mood, have you thought about sharing that trait with others in need?

Therapy animal programs select and train volunteers and their animals to visit hospital patients, nursing home residents and schoolchildren — just to name some of those who benefit from these heart-warming exchanges. Visits from therapy animals can help people cope with pain and discomfort, mend after brain trauma and accomplish goals in physical therapy. In some cases, therapy animals have motivated patients when nothing else has worked.

Along with dogs and cats, animals ranging from rabbits and birds to horses and potbellied pigs have provided therapy. If you think your animal angel has what it takes, contact a local therapy animal program. Someone in need may be waiting for a furry friend.