(Commonwealth Union)_A directed connection between a person and a trained animal is referred to as pet therapy. The animal’s handler is also involved. The goal of pet therapy is to assist people in recovering from or coping with a health ailment or mental disorder.
Pet therapy is most typically utilised with dogs and cats. Fish, guinea pigs, horses, and other animals meeting screening criteria can also be employed. The sort of animal chosen is determined by the therapeutic aims of the individual’s treatment plan.
Pet therapy is sometimes known as animal-assisted therapy (AAT). Animal-assisted activities (AAA) are commonly mistaken with AAT. AAT is a systematic, planned series of sessions that assists clients in reaching specified therapeutic goals. AAA meetings are more casual, with an animal and its handler interacting with one or more individuals for comfort or amusement.
Pet therapy strengthens the already-existing human-animal bond. Interacting with a friendly pet can help with a variety of physical and mental health conditions. It has the potential to lower blood pressure and improve overall cardiovascular health. It can also produce endorphins, which have a relaxing effect. This can aid with pain relief, stress reduction, and overall psychological well-being.
Pet therapy can be used in a variety of ways. Defining goals is a crucial component of therapy, and your progress will be documented and tracked during organised sessions.
A pet therapy program’s objectives may include strengthening motor skills and joint movement, enhancing either assisted or autonomous movement, boosting self-esteem, improve verbal communication, enhancing social abilities, boosting participation in activities, increasing interpersonal interactions and, encouraging people to exercise.
Pet therapy also has a wide range of benefits, including lowering loneliness and isolation by providing you with a buddy making you happier, less depressed, and boosting your outlook on life, lowering boredom, lowering anxiety due to its relaxing effects, assisting children in developing empathy and nurturing abilities and enhancing your relationship with your healthcare provider.
Pet therapy is particularly recommended for patients undergoing chemotherapy, long-term care facility residents, persons in the hospital with chronic heart failure, veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, children undergoing medical or dental procedures, people recovering from strokes and those undergoing physical treatment to regain motor abilities, as well as persons suffering from mental illnesses.
When a pet is present during a medical procedure, humans may feel less anxious. When engaging with a pet in rehabilitation, people may be more motivated to recover and perform their therapy. People with sensory impairments can sometimes converse more easily with animals. This promotes increased engagement with healthcare practitioners and other individuals.
