Pet Therapy

Pet Therapy Variations

There are several types of animal-oriented therapy, and each one delivers different benefits for different conditions.

• Visitation Therapy: This is the most familiar type of animal therapy and involves animals – typically cats or dogs – being brought to hospitals, nursing homes, or care centers to visit with residents and patients. Residents therefore get the loving attention of the animal without the necessary care requirements, which is beneficial in facilities where pets are not permitted.
• Ownership Therapy: Pets can be valuable as a prescription, and alternative therapy practices often encourage owning pets for the mental and emotional benefits. Individuals interested in ownership therapy, however, should carefully consider the needs and requirements of the animal when choosing a new companion.
• Animal-Assisted Therapy: This is a more intensive type of therapy where patients in need of extreme rehabilitation are paired with incredibly sensitive animals – often dolphins or horses – as part of an intensive therapy regime. Interacting with the animals can build confidence as well as refine physical skills.

Individuals interested in undergoing pet therapy should first consult a therapist familiar with the different approaches to determine which one would be most suitable and beneficial.

Benefits of Pet Therapy

The benefits of an animal-human bond have been documented for centuries, and therapy bonds in particular can be strong and positive. The relationship between a therapy animal and a patient, however, extends far deeper than simple companionship: there are physical, emotional, and mental benefits to this type of treatment.

Physical

The physical health benefits of animal therapy depend on which type of therapy is practiced and include:

• Increased mobility from brushing, petting, and walking an animal.
• Enhancing physical skills through intensive therapy riding horses or swimming.
• Increased exercise from caring for the demands of a pet.
• Lowered blood pressure and reduced stress from the gentle nature of the nonjudgmental relationship.

Emotional

Emotionally, animals can provide seniors not only with companionship, but also with other benefits such as:

• A sense of caring and gentleness as many animals instinctively nurture ailing humans.
• Increased self esteem as seniors find they can care for the pet or the animal enjoys seeing them.
• Decreased anxiety and depression by forming the nurturing bond with an animal.
• Reduced loneliness by caring for and spending time with an animal.
• Increased social interaction with other patients or animal handlers.
• Higher comfort levels with other family members who can use the animal rather than the illness or disability as a focal point.

Mental

Animal therapy even provides mental benefits to patients, including:

• Memory stimulation by comparing the therapy animal to other pets.
• Daily purposes based on care needs for the animal.
• Mental stimulation through contact with animal handlers or animal entertainment.

Can My Animal Help?

Animals of any age can be therapeutic.

Even individuals who are not in need of pet therapy themselves can benefit from being involved in the practice as volunteers, either with their own pets or animals from shelters. Many types of animals are welcomed into therapy programs, though dogs and cats are the most common participants. Pot-bellied pigs, rabbits, and birds can also be used for therapy, though wild animals with uncertain temperaments such as ferrets and lizards do not typically make suitable therapy animals.

Any animal that is considered for therapy sessions should exhibit certain characteristics, including an easygoing, amiable nature, acceptance of strangers and new environments, and a generally friendliness and willingness to be petted and handled for long periods. Pets must also be able to respond to basic obedience commands, and both the pets and their owners or handlers must usually attend workshops or other training sessions before participating in a therapy program.

For More Information

For more information about pet therapy programs, contact alternative therapists or visit the official website of the Delta Society, www.deltasociety.org, which has been promoting the benefits of the human-animal bond since the society was founded in 1977.

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