INTRODUCTION: The 2000 U.S. Census reported that in the late 20th century and early 21st century, there were a large increase in the number of elderly people living in the United States of America, which will likely lead to an increase in the incidence of dementia. In recent years, dog-assisted therapy has been widely regarded as a generally accepted method of providing elderly residents with good feelings and increasing their self-maintenance behavior. The purpose of this study is to examine the psychological and behavioral effects of dog-assisted therapy on elderly residents with dementia. I predict that dog-assisted therapy will help older adults with dementia address behavioral and emotional problems such as aggression, agitation, and psychosis. LITERATURE REVIEWSeveral studies have examined the effects of dog ownership. a dog on the physical and mental health of people. Owning a dog produces considerable health benefits and provides social support that encourages dog owners to walk (Cutt et al. 2007). Pet owners appear to have lower systolic blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels (Anderson et al 1992). Pet owners with serious mental illness living in the community demonstrate greater social integration (Zimalog and Krupa 2009). Socially excluded participants who worked in the presence of a dog report higher mental well-being than socially excluded participants who did not work in the presence of a dog (Nilüfer et al 2012). Although there is evidence to suggest that dog ownership can improve people's physical and mental health, there is little research documenting the psychological and behavioral effects of dog-assisted therapy, particularly in elderly patients. with dementia, who have difficulty developing. article ......pet therapy to care for their loved one/ Cutt, Hayley, Billie Giles-Corti, Matthew Knuiman, Valerie Burke. “Dog ownership, health and physical activity: critical review of the literature.” » Health & Place 13.1 (2007): 261-272. Nilüfer Aydina, Joachim I. Kruegerb, Julia Fischera, Dana Hahna, Andreas Kastenmüllerc, Dieter Freya, Peter Fischer “Man's best friend: how the presence of a dog reduces mental distress after social exclusion.” Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. 48.1 (2012): 446-449.Vann Madeline “How Animal Therapy Helps Dementia Patients” Everyday Health Blog, (2010).http://www.everydayhealth.com/alzheimers/how-animal-therapy -helps-dementia-patient s.asp Zimolag, Ulrike and Terry Krupa. “Pet ownership as a meaningful community occupation for people with serious mental illness.” American Journal of Occupational Therapy 63.2(2009): 126-137.