Pet Therapy

Lastly, cuddling can improve your physical health. Cuddling releases oxytocin which is known as a feel good hormone. Nowadays, the scientist says that Oxytocin is neurotransmitter that has an influence with the working of brain and health. It can make your mind feel calm, relaxed, help you fall asleep, and heal your pain. In addition, cuddling boosts your immune system.

MBSR also reduced trait anxiety and ruminative thinking and increased self compassion and empathy. Another study was conducted by Grossman, P., Niemann, L., Schmidt, S., & Walach, H. (2004) to see if mindfulness really does help reduce negativity and improve vitality as well as coping mechanism of a person. The study supported the fact that MBSR may help a broad range of people to cope with their problems, thus giving health benefits. Mindfulness and Interpersonal Behavior Dekeyser, M., Raes, F., Leijssen, M., Leysen, S., & Dewulf, D. (2008), conducted a study to see the relation of mindfulness with interpersonal performance and feelings. The results showed a positive association between mindfulness and interpersonal skills.

Many nursing home residents all over the United States experience not only physical abuse, but drug abuse also. “In 2011, a government study found that 88 percent of Medicare claims for antipsychotics prescribed in nursing homes were for treating symptoms of dementia, even though the drugs aren't approved for that’” (Jaffe). Antipsychotic drugs are used to treat short or long-term bipolar disorders. The drugs treat schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, hallucinations, depression and a vast amount of other bipolar disorders. Caretakers who work in nursing homes are responsible for treating their patients with the correct care and treatment needed.

Therapy dogs can also impact people with mental health disorders. (4,5,6) One way they can do this is by helping people with depression. (4,5) It is believed that when someone pets an animal, “feel good neurotransmitters” called endorphins are released which can be extremely helpful and beneficial for those going through depression. (5) Another way that depression can be improved by therapy dogs is that patients often forget about their own problems when in the presence of a dog because their attention is drawn to it and its needs. (5) Hormones such as serotonin, prolactin, and oxytocin is also released by interacting with an animal which can play a major part in elevating moods.

Interacting with a pet can alleviate physical symptoms such as high blood pressure and pain management or mental benefits such as stress reduction and easing the mind. Pet therapy is deigned to the specific individuals needs and goals to exude the greatest benefits from the treatment plan. According to UCLA Health Animal-Assisted Research findings, some physical and mental goals of a pet therapy program can include; improving assisted/independent movement, increasing self-esteem, expanding verbal communication, developing social skills/interactions, and motivating the individual to exercise and join in activity groups. The benefits of accomplishing the goals listed above include, a more positive viewpoint on life, lessening depression, eliminating loneliness by providing animal companionship, decreasing anxiety, improving relationships around the person, and teaching individuals to become more empathetic and

Persuasive Speech: Mental Illness Generally when people think if the word illness they think of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, hemophilia, etc. These are all physical illnesses. Not many people realize that mental illnesses are also just as impactful on lives. One in four people suffer from mental disorder today, however few receive help; only 50% of the ill receive proper treatment. One in four people is a pretty large ratio.

Reflecting on this, an aspect that stands out is the date of 1993. Over twenty-four years ago, a prominent issue regarding rehabilitation for inmates remains the same. Over half of the people incarcerated experience withdrawal from an addiction though prisons turn away when there are clearly people in need. When proper treatment and rehabilitation is denied, inmates with serious addictions or mental disabilities continue to worsen. “About 85 percent [of California prisoners] are substance abusers.

Reduces blood pressure c. Decrease cholesterol 3) Teaches responsibility a. Nothing can teach more responsibility than keeping another being alive b. Have to feed, groom, walk, give water, maintain a clean habitat and play with the animal Sources: 1) Forbes: “Pet Owners may have Decreased Risk for Heart Disease” Glatter, R. (2013, May 11). Pet Owners May Have Lower Risk For Heart Disease. Retrieved April 14,

By creating a law at the federal level, it decreases the likeliness of an accident or in the case of puppy mills, the ability of breeders to take advantage of and ruin the lives of these animals. An example of this would be making children under a certain age use car seats. “Car seat use reduces the risk of death to infants (aged <1 year) by 71%; and to toddlers (aged 1–4 years) by 54% in passenger vehicles” (Motor Vehicle Safety 4). This proves how enforcing a law at the federal level can save lives. Although Puppy Mills are obviously a very different issue than children using car seats, it shows how a law can positively affect the livelihood of an individual, which in this case happens to be dogs.

This SW also suggested adding adjunct distraction techniques such as, the use of massage and pet therapy if client believes them to be client centered. Pet therapy, typically a modality that uses a trained animal and it’s handler to guide interactions with the pet as a distraction technique where the client experiences moments absent of suffering as they are engaged in realizing endorphins that occur bonding in pet relationships, pet therapy is goal oriented and can be used in all aspects of holistic care, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual care (American Veterinary Medical Association,