If you are an animal lover, imagine being in therapy with your pet and having them as part of the session. It is often said that pets have a positive impact on our mental health as they often bring a sense of warmth and unconditional love.
There is a type of therapy that requires the presence of an animal and health publications explain further how this technique is effective.
According to Medical News Today, animal therapy, also known as pet therapy or animal-assisted therapy, uses animals to help people with specific physical or mental health conditions. The therapy is believed to build on the human-animal bond, which helps people form a calming state by interacting with friendly animals.
“This bond itself may help the person in several ways, such as reducing boredom, increasing movement and activity through walks and play, providing companionship and decreasing loneliness, increasing social interactions, improving mood and general well-being.”
Researchers from the University of California Los Angeles Medical Center found that visits from therapeutic dogs significantly reduced anxiety, stress, and heart pressure in heart failure patients. The study involved 76 patients, with the average age being 57. The results showed that anxiety levels dropped 24% for patients visited by the dog and volunteer team, while stress levels rose 7% in the unvisited group.
“In addition, levels of epinephrine, a hormone the body makes when under stress, dropped 17% in patients visited by a person and a dog, and just 2% in those visited only by a person. But levels rose 7% in the unvisited group.”
Animal therapy has been found to positively impact physical health, speeding healing and reducing the effects of certain health conditions, states Husson University. Studies have shown that visits with therapy dogs improve cardiovascular health, reduce medication needs, and boost the immune system.
“Some researchers have found an increase in salivatory immunoglobulin A, which indicates a healthy immune system function after people spend time petting a dog for less than 20 minutes. The release of oxytocin impacts the immune system and increases the pain threshold, helping people heal more quickly.”
The above source further adds that this therapy improves skills in various therapies, including physical therapy, language and social therapies, and children with neurological differences. “Children with neurological differences, such as autism, often perform better in their language and social therapies when they have an animal to interact with. The presence of an animal can create spontaneous communication in situations where a child might otherwise choose not to communicate.”
Also see: These are the benefits of cuddle therapy
