Volunteer Fair/Refined Project Idea

Today was the Volunteer/Career fair. I saw some interesting booths, mostly volunteering I'd be more interested in during the summer. Much of the volunteering was after-school tutoring programs (during which I have class). As far as programs I would consider, the Women's Center sounded promising as well as the Black Hawk Girl Scout Camp during the summer (although that's a paid position.) I got the impression that most of the booth volunteers were pretty wiped out from the Fair and were less-than-eager to talk. My other classmates seemed to get the same impression and we had to pry pretty hard to get an actual conversation out of any of the volunteers. Even then, I only had one both really describe the place. Most described how to get more information. Even so, my general observations were:

School Tutoring programs: pictures showed children smiling, laughing and having fun (I dont remember ever having fun while struggling in school?), volunteers also looked thrilled to be there
Girl Scout camp: volunteers described the specific location as being near Wausau and described the payment plan for counslers. No matter what I asked, the conversation was pretty much left at that.
WI Public Radio: volunteers described the various duties volunteers are responsible for (attending booths, pledge drives, etc)

More than likely, I'll contine volunteering at Avalon when I can (should be really easy to get 10-15 hours in...I'll get 40+ over spring break alone!) and the Zoo whenever there are programs. I work as an education volunteer at the zoo, so I'm only needed when school programs come in for presentations. (That's my job)

This, of course, brings me back to this portfolio project. I have no idea what I'm going to talk about, where I'm going to talk about. My best idea as of now is:

*Examing the mental and physical benefits of therapuetic animals possibly including:
-Therapuetic Riding (horses)
-Animal visits to hospitals, hospices, cancer wards
-Seeing eye/Hearing dogs

Mostly I'm planning on focusing on therapuetic riding (that's how Avalon fits in - I can experience it hands-on as well as through research) and animal visits to hospitals, ect. Those two interest me the most.
Questions to consider:
-What are the physical benefits?
-Mental health?
-Mental health affecting physical improvements?

Everybody hears stories about how therapuetic riding has improved lives (hell, I've seen that!), and how animal visits have helped mentally depressed cancer patients to cheer up and fight off the disease. How valid are those claims? Are they common or one in a million? Is there any scientific research behind it?

I know I believe mental health is very intimately attached to physical health (health is 90% mental) and that improving mental health will almost inevitably lead to improving physical health. And, being an animal lover, I also firmly believe that animals, with their ability for unconditional love and acceptance, can offer comfort and company in a way humans can't. This can improve mental health.

Anyway, that's where my project stands as of now. I could be completely and totally off base...but at least it's an idea.