Besides the fact that I don't have children and my three dogs are my kids, yes I believe that they are therapeutic and have that sixth sense I think you would call it. My dogs are clingy by nature because of there breed, but I notice a change in there demeanor when I am not doing so well. They just want to lay with me in the chair or couch and be with me. My husband doesn't suffer from depression, but has been depressed for about six months due to outside factors and I've seen them do it with him. It's almost like they become depressed, I can see it in the way they act, they just mope around. I also think they are just doing what animals do, be our best friend.