Animal-assisted therapy is a form of therapeutic intervention that incorporates a myriad of animals into a specifictreatment plan. Typically, it is used to enhance and complement the benefits of traditional therapy methods. The purpose of pet therapy is to help someone recover from or cope with a health problem or mental disorder. Dogs and cats are most commonly used in pet therapy. However, fish, hamsters, horses, and other animals that meet the screening criteria can also be used. The type of animal chosen depends on the therapeutic goals of the treatment plan.
The Benefits
The benefits of animal-assisted therapy builds on the pre-existing human-animal bond. This can be used in many different ways. Definable objectives are an important part of therapy, and your progress will be recorded and tracked at structured sessions.
Animals can provide a sense of calm, comfort, or safety and divert attention away from a stressful situation and toward one that provides pleasure. Advocates of animal-assisted therapy say that developing a bond with an animal can help people develop a better sense of self-worth and trust, stabilize their emotions, and improve their communication, self-regulation, and socialization skills.
- Interacting with a friendly pet can help many physical and mental issues.
- It can help reduce blood pressure and improve overall cardiovascular health.
- Also, it helps release endorphins that produce a calming effect. This can help alleviate pain, reduce stress, and improve your overall psychological state.
- Helps children, in particular, to learn empathetic and nurturing skills.
The Goals
Animal-assisted therapy has numerous goals that differ from person to person. However, the reasons listed below are the most common –
- Improving motor skills and joint movement
- Improving assisted or independent movement
- Increasing self-esteem
- Increasing verbal communication
- Developing social skills
- Increasing willingness to join activities
- Improving interactions with others
- Motivating willingness to exercise
The Outlook
Collectively, the success of pet therapy depends on establishing realistic goals and expectations and meeting those goals. You and your doctor or therapist will establish these goals at the beginning of your treatment. Your doctor or therapist will monitor your progress and help you stay on track to meet your goals.