Animal Assisted Therapy: What are the Benefits?
“I just love dogs, and there really is no better companion than an animal.” Rita Rudner meant by this, that animals, and dogs in particular, are great companions in almost all situations, and can be helpful in many things. Some say that a dog is a man’s best friend, which is very true in that they can be of assistance in therapy in addition to many other types of animals. Dogs have an overall positive effect on people and help them in many ways and can assist in making a human feel better. Animal-assisted therapy is beneficial because it develops social behaviors, improves mood, and increases physical health.
In the case of a person with a disability, the presence of trained animals can help to develop social behaviors. A person who has a disability may have a more difficult time interacting in social situations than a person who does not have a disability; interacting with animals helps to teach the appropriate behaviors that apply both to animals and humans. For example, a person that does not have a disability may immediately know to start by calmly approaching the animal, while a person with a disability may approach the animal quickly and in an alarming manner. When a therapist works with a person with special needs, he or she may suggest to approach an animal slowly and calmly rather
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Petting an animal, specifically a dog, has been known to release serotonin, prolactin, and oxytocin, which are endorphins that make a person happy (“Puppy Love” 1). In addition, petting an animal reduces levels of cortisol which is a hormone known to cause stress ("Therapy Pets And Humans With Mental Health Issues" 1). Simply petting an animal helps to increase positive hormones and mood and to reduce levels of stress. The same endorphins that improve the mood also have a positive effect on patients with mental health
"Any glimpse into the life of an animal quickens our own and makes it so much the larger and better in every way”-John Muir. Evidence from Hoot, Temple, and research shows that people can improve their lives through interacting and observing animals, because animals comfort autistic children, help you make new friends, and help you go out of your comfort zone. In the novel Hoot Roy's life improves because of the owls. Temple Grandin has an amazing story, if it weren't for animals she wouldn't be able to do what she can today. Dogs help autistic children feel safe.
Throughout the first chapter of Animals in Translation by Temple Grandin and Catherine Johnson, Grandin expresses thoroughly how her autism gives her an advantage in the animal behavior world. Her autism allows her to relate to animals in ways other behavior professionals cannot. Grandin “sees” like the animals and uses her knowledge to solve behavior problems and change the world’s view of animals behavior. Grandin’s autism gives her a unique perspective on animals behavior.
Studies have shown that animal therapy can decrease anxiety and pain, lower blood pressure and help alleviate depression, while offering companionship and a distraction from treatments. The Sobiech family decided to adopt a puppy named, Daisy, to help them through the hard times. She was like a furry panacea. As Daisy’s little tiff with the puppy in the mirror played out, we all turned and regarded her for a moment, then looked at one another as we wiped the tears from our faces. The tension and sadness shifted so easily into torrents of laughter, and I realized what a blessing this little beast was (Sobiech 75).
James Gillet and Rachel Weldrick, previously composed a study on the “effectiveness of having an animal as a source of treatment for those who are diagnosed with PTSD” (n.d.). Gillet and Weldrick articulate a few physiological benefits of acquiring a service dog, one being an improved range of physiological function and attitude. Officers would experience a reduction to symptoms like nightmares or high levels of anxiety. The feeling of having the companion to rely on in times of discomfort demonstrates the positive bond, which forms between the dog and the officer. Further into the article Gillet and Weldrick (n.d.) state “service dogs do not simply help their human companions cope, but [show] forms of assistance that are attuned to mental health” (as cited in Tedischi and colleagues, 2010).
Animals can help children learn about responsibility because they have to take care of the animal by themselves, so learning to do it by themselves teaches them responsibility. Previously, research in 2016 found that if a child sits in front of a dog with its owner will read better and have a better attitude (Rose 30). Furthermore, when a child has difficulty reading and they have been put with a dog their reading improves and their attitude improves as well. In the same way, children with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD have had their effects reduced by walking or grooming a horse, of course, this is from some studies. By the child grooming or walking the horse their effects from PTSD are reduced (Rose 30-31).
Chris Colin explains the effects of bonding with dogs when he says, “Researchers are accumulating evidence that bonding with dogs has biological effects, such as elevated levels of the hormone oxytocin. “Oxytocin improves trust, the ability to interpret facial expressions, the overcoming of paranoia and
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), “service animal means any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability” (Huss 1163). Yet the definition of an emotional support animal is an animal that reduces anxiety or other emotions of their handler. All a patient needs to obtain an emotional support animal is a letter from a doctor stating the need for the animal. Unfortunately, with this letter in hand, most people believe they are ready to take their animals anywhere with them even though the animal has received little or no training as service animals
Therapy dogs can change up the scene for these patients by offering them kisses and
Oddly enough, this category does not necessarily have to be a dog at all. A cat, horse, rabbit, guinea pig, or any other type of trainable animal can qualify in this class of support animals. To qualify for an emotional support animal certification, you must have a prescription written by a licensed therapist. You will need to prove that you require this animal be in your presence in situations where you have to cope with everyday stress. Common conditions that warrant the use of a full-time support dog are; depression, bipolar disorder, hallucinations, anxiety, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder, or behavioral personality disorder.
Did you know that diabetes service animals can smell a person's breath and blood? This allows them to recognize if their owners blood sugar is too high or too low. This can be a good tool for people whose blood sugar drops very fast. Service animals benefit a person’s life by allowing their owners to have someone around at all times, getting their owners moving, and helping owners with everyday tasks.
Many soldiers and veterans come home suffering from PTSD. Overall, there are 44.7 million people who have suffered or are currently suffering from the disorder. About 11-20 every 100 soldiers and veterans that come back and have served have PTSD. There have been studies that show it has been going around for a long time and has been affecting many people from war and other different tragic events. All the way from ancient time to now.
Get An Emotional Support Animal Prescription From Experienced Therapist People those who are all has a mental disability and they recommended to carry an emotional support animal everywhere. It is one of the best and important parts of a treatment program to certain people with emotional disabilities and psychological conditions. These animals give a comfort to the patients those who have emotional disability problems. The mental health professionals like licensed therapist, psychiatrist and psychologist are authorized to prescribe the animal support according to the air carrier access act and fair housing act. Apart from that, there are many ways are available to treat emotional conditions and disabilities.
While many pet owners claim that their pets actually do make them feel better, there are still some skeptics. However, research studies show that pets do have a very positive impact on various aspects of our health. In fact, according to “In Their Innocence and Wisdom” by Lilly Calandrello, studies have correlated pet ownership with the following health benefits: lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, better psychological health, lower heart attack rates, higher survival rates following coronary heart disease, enhanced self-esteem and social interaction. So as people take care of their companion animals, the animals are in turn taking care of their
Millions of lives just as innocent as the most generous child; Trapped in the barriers we know as cages, that they know as Hell; Too many lives for humanity to just be a bystander. Each and every day is filled with a million moments and opportunities for us to take a stand and make a change. Animal shelters around the world are constantly filling with new animals; it is simply too much for the small amounts of staff on their own to make sure every animal gets the love they deserve, as well as making sure the shelter is kept tidy and operating. Animal shelters need us, young and old, even if only for an hour. That small span of time can make the world for them; volunteering assures that animals will get daily love, lowers full-time staff stress,
Animal lovers all over the world can attest to how good it feels to interact with their pets. People of all ages, shapes, religions, and disabilities confirm to the stress relieving and mood boosting benefits of having a pet. According to The Human Animal Bond Research Initiative (HABRI) Foundation, there is substantial evidence backing the research that the feeling one encompasses when interacting with a pet can be established in a therapeutic method called animal therapy. Utilizing pets as a form of therapy is advancing as a successful coping method of treating a variety of medical conditions and disabilities.