Animal therapy: How it works, benefits, and more

how does animal therapy work

Unlike animal therapy, where there are no specific goals or outcomes, animal-assisted therapy is structured into exercises, such as walking, petting, brushing and caring for animals. The outcome of these activities is measured and documented to align with therapeutic goals. Animal-assisted therapy involves the supervised interaction between animals and patients in a closely monitored environment. It usually takes place in a controlled setting, such as a prison, hospital, school or nursing home. Many different animals can be used in this type of therapy depending on the needs of the patient, including dogs (canine-assisted therapy), horses (equine-assisted therapy), rabbits, dolphins, and llamas. A wide variety of animals can assist individuals in psychotherapy, and some may need to exercise caution around some animals.

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These findings are consistent with a study conducted in acute pediatric care [22]. Furthermore, the risks of implementing animal therapeutic interventions especially in hospitals are not negligible, and these hazards must be considered [16], [17]. The human relationship with animals can be useful and relatively duloxetine oral: uses side effects interactions pictures warnings and dosing safe for inpatients with various problems. Moreover, the implementation of security precautions and the careful selection of patients should minimize the risks, particularly those infection-related. The release of endorphins may ease the symptoms of depression and allow the client to feel more calm and secure.

Training in Animal Therapy: How to Develop Your Career

Then, it would be interesting to further deepen this topic, investigating, also, any adherence to specific guidelines. Another major concern was the acceptance of AAI programs among healthcare professional. However, all studies considering this issue identified a general acceptance by the staff [22], [34], [36]. The studies involving oncological patients showed physiological benefits, like pain reduction [26], and psychological benefits like decreased loneliness, increased relaxation, socialization and self-esteem [8].

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Horses are often integrated into the therapeutic process because of their innate and uncanny ability to attune themselves to the emotions and body language of humans. A 2015 study linked therapeutic time with animals to reduced pain levels after surgery. Children hospitalized for cancer treatment also experienced reduced levels of the stress hormone cortisol, thanks to time spent in animal-assisted therapy. Additionally, therapy animals that visit hospitals and other long-term facilities may be carriers of certain infections or diseases.

The mental health benefits of animal-assisted therapy for kids go even further. This article will explain types of animal therapy, the conditions in which animal therapy may offer benefits, who facilitates and provides animal therapy, and more. Anyone considering animal therapy should discuss the process and how they may benefit from it with a doctor or mental health specialist. The hallucinogen drug use: effects addiction & dangers positive interactions with an animal may lead to benefits in the mind and body, such as reduced stress and an overall more balanced mental and emotional state. Releasing these “happy hormones” also helps lower anxiety, so people will relax during their treatment or therapy. The presence of an animal provides comfort and a needed distraction from an otherwise challenging time.

  1. Research suggests that some studies of the treatment are methodologically flawed.
  2. Animal-assisted therapy is rooted in the bond that can develop between people and animals.
  3. Moreover, 17% of these isolates were indistinguishable from the toxigenic microorganisms responsible of the human disease.
  4. Examples include equine therapy for kids with anxiety and canine therapy for childhood trauma.

Research from 2016 has also linked animal-assisted therapy to improved blood flow in people experiencing heart failure. Olivine is a Texas-based psychologist with over a decade of experience serving clients in the clinical setting and private practice. Studies suggest that people who pet animals experience the release of serotonin, prolactin and oxytocin hormones that can play a part in elevating moods. People who do not respond well to animal therapy or are not interested in trying it may ask about other options. This rigorous testing and certification ensures the safety and professionalism of everyone involved and helps give the person access to the best therapy sessions possible.

Two reviews [37], [39] considered the potential risks of animal use in healthcare settings, considering infections, allergies and bites. Precisely, Khan et al. considered the AAA or AAT implementation in healthcare settings, especially in hospitals [37]. The second review focused specifically on the healthcare environment of Europe and North America [39]. The zoonosis can be a risk especially for very young, old or immunosuppressed patients [37], [39]. However, the application of hygiene protocols consented an effective risk minimization [39].

how does animal therapy work

Since more than 90 percent of people who are institutionalized due to dementia-related problems have agitation, this is a significant benefit for the patient as well as for the staff of nursing homes and memory care settings. Animal-assisted therapy programs have also been shown to assist with the treatment of substance abuse and withdrawal. What’s more, current Pain and Headache Reports also reported pain reduction in cancer patients after animal-assisted therapy. The report notes this was verified clinically by increased levels of endorphins after the animal visit.

In particular, some interventions focused on frail patients as elderly [6], [7] or children [5], [8]. Furthermore, AAT and AAA are implemented in different settings like hospitals, nursing homes and schools [4], [5]. The employment of Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI) resulted increasingly popular, especially among pediatric patients. Chur-Hansen et al. conducted a critical review regarding AAI for children inpatients. Precisely, the authors concluded that the evidences regarding AAI are scant, and more standardized studies (in particular RCTs) about this topic are required [9]. Another recent review considered only the available RCTs regarding AAT, retrieving overall eleven studies (published from 1990 to 2012).

how does animal therapy work

As a result, in many areas of science, published findings are heavily biased toward positive results. A recent study by the Food and Drug Administration found that 91% of published clinical trials on the effectiveness of antidepressant drugs reported positive results. However, when the results of non-published trials were included in the analysis, antidepressants were found to be effective in only 51% of the studies. 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. They often relate better to animals than humans, and therapists can incorporate the animal into the therapy session to improve communication and engagement.

There may be a chance of them spreading these infections to other people, making thorough testing important for any animal. Rehabilitation centers may partner with therapy animals and their handlers to help patients achieve faster rehab and get home more quickly. The presence of therapy animals motivates patients to work harder in their rehab activities, whether that is counseling-related https://sober-house.org/dmt-uses-side-effects-and-risks-2/ or physical therapy. Many animals have germs that can make vulnerable people sick, and any animal, no matter how well trained, can be unpredictable. However, these types of risks are minimized when working with trained service animals. If you are an animal lover, you can bring joy to people facing their most challenging situations by becoming a therapy animal trainer or handler.

Others, such as equine therapy, have a wealth of research supporting their positive impact on recipients’ mental health. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is an alternative or complementary type of therapy that includes the use of animals in a treatment. The goal of this animal-assisted intervention is to improve a patient’s social, emotional, or cognitive functioning. Studies have documented some positive effects of the therapy on subjective self-rating scales and on objective physiological measures such as blood pressure and hormone levels. Characteristics of the retrieved studies regarding animal interventions for adult inpatients with various illness (including orthopedic patients, and high-risk pregnancy). The table reported information about the study design, the participant characteristics (sample size, disease, and setting), the intervention type (including length and animal used), the considered outcomes and the main results.

Some participants were left in the room, mulling it over, while petting a soft, fluffy rabbit, whereas others were left in the same situation but petting a hard-shelled turtle. Either case, both groups experienced a reduction in stress and anxiety compared to those who didn’t have the chance to pet an animal while thinking of the tarantula. Furthermore, the data regarding animal welfare during the intervention lacked in most of the studies.

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