I was a nurse for 27 years and we had many articles in our nursing journals about the use of pets of all kinds to relieve the pain and stress of long term illness. I know that dogs and cats are used, as well as birds in large aviaries and large aquariums with larger, bright colored fish in nursing homes and some areas of hospitals now to help patients. So I think you are on the right track there. Just keep us informed on the progress, I think it is a fascinating subject.

As far as the tetra questions go, I do not know that they are easier to care for but I know that Cardinal Tetras tend to be hardier and live longer and better than the Neons. Also for any fish hobbyist who likes the fish with long flowing fins, Neons are known to be fin nippers to those fish and can destroy bettas kept with them but I have heard of them also going after long finned guppies and Mollies. So while I cannot say that they are harder to care for the fact that they nip has to be taken into consideration when you choose them to be with long finned fish.

As far as the other question, I do not know the answer to that one.