The Silent Champions of Animal-Assisted Therapy
Have you ever heard of animal-assisted therapy? There are many therapeutic benefits of pets, which is why they are a great addition to therapy in many different situations, and for many different patients. Take a closer look at pet-assisted therapy and the relationship between human mental health and animals.
Therapeutic Benefits of Pets
If you’ve ever had a pet comfort you when you were feeling down, then you already know about some of the therapeutic benefits of pets. No matter what is bothering you, having a furry friend by your side can help you feel comforted, supported, and more at ease. Spending time with animals has also been shown to help some people experience lowered blood pressure and improved cardiovascular health, showing that there may also be a link between physical health and animals. Improved moods and decreased stress can also help people push themselves more when participating in therapeutic exercises that may be painful or uncomfortable, which can help them experience faster and better progress.
Basics of Pet-Assisted Therapy
With this knowledge of how animals can help humans both mentally and physically, it’s no surprise that pet-assisted therapy is becoming more popular among patients of all ages. Animals like dogs and horses are some of the most commonly used therapy animals. Pet-assisted therapy is a unique process for every patient, and the type of animal and type of therapy used will depend on what issues the patient is dealing with as well as their ultimate goals for treatment. Therapy animals can provide comfort and support during therapy sessions, which makes it easier for patients to discuss their thoughts and feelings. Animals can also help patients improve their behavioral and social skills and provide help with mobility issues and other motor skill concerns.
People Who Can Benefit from Pet-Assisted Therapy
Animal-assisted interventions can be helpful for patients of all ages, from all backgrounds, and dealing with a variety of mental and/or physical health concerns. The connection between mental health and animals means that pet-assisted therapy can be useful for patients who have ADHD, anxiety, autism, dementia, depression, and a number of other mental health conditions and concerns. The therapeutic benefits of pets can also be seen in how they can help ease symptoms associated with chronic pain, postoperative pain, epilepsy, heart failure, and other physical health conditions. Pet-assisted therapy can be part of a group therapy treatment or part of an individual patient’s treatment.
If you have emotional support animals or any types of pets, you can make sure they get the quality care they need here at Coal Creek Animal Hospital. Contact us today for more information about how our Lafayette, CO veterinary clinic can help you take the best care of your emotional support animals and other pets.