Pet Therapy

Animal Assisted Therapy, more commonly known as Pet Therapy, is therapy involving an animal who aides a patient in achieving specific outcomes. While many modalities of therapy might include a pet component, this is not a tool commonly used as of yet. Studies are not widespread, but what studies are available show a positive correlation between Pet Therapy and better patient outcomes.

When Pet Therapy was first used, it was with the intention of improving a specific aspect of a patient's condition, such as range of motion in physical therapy or socialization in patients with such issues. However, Pet Therapy quickly proved over and over multiple aspects of a patient's condition are improved, not just the aspect in which the animal was initially being utilized. All aspects of care benefit, including physical, emotional, social and cognitive.

By nature, pets are accepting and non-judgmental. They see a person as just another human, regardless of the physical or mental challenges that may be so limiting. Pets live in the "here and now," thus; they operate very much in the present, not hindered by memories or past experiences. In this regard, they make the perfect therapy partner. They are willing partners who also bring a special connection that seems to be magic to the recipient.

The therapeutic outcomes are enormously favorable when Pet Therapy is used. No drug ever manufactured could possibly equal the positive, broad spectrum affects of Pet Therapy.

Regardless of whether a patient is a current or previous pet owner, the connection between human and animal, with rare exception, is very successful. Because humans utilize speech and other more intellectual styles of communication, humans with impairments may have difficulty making connections to other humans. Occasionally a certain person or caregiver with very specific characteristics or traits may have some minute success, but there are a great many patients who are just not able to be reached at all.

Because animals do not have the intelligence of a human, over the course of evolution, they have developed other senses and means to perpetuate their survival. For example, animals have a keen sense of reading "energy." Many species, including dogs and cats, are born with their eyes closed. It is speculated their sense of hearing is also delayed. This requires the newly born animal to learn to sense "energies" emitted as the mother communicates at a very instinctual level. She teaches her offspring to survive in a world without sights or sounds. The newborns must learn to cope in this "world of energy" if it is to survive. Slowly the other senses fall into place and the animal learns to utilize all that has been given by its creator.

The original skill of survival, the reading and reacting to energies, is not lost among the animal world and it is believed this is one reason why animals are so successful in making the connections with patients who otherwise would not be able to be reached.

On the other side of this connection, most people have an innate compassion for animals. They perceive them as vulnerable and loveable. They sense their non-judgmental and unconditionally accepting nature and are immediately drawn to them. The energies of animals are easy and natural. People sense this either consciously or unconsciously and, more often than not, therapeutic connections are instantly forged.

Imagine someone in their twilight years who has physical or mental problems requiring around the clock supervision or care. Also imagine this person has no family nearby to make this transition easier. Or maybe this person's family members are non-supportive or even destructive to their care. Imagine this person now thrust into a completely new environment, every aspect of their life has changed, their life turned completely upside-down, and expected to thrive amidst this substantial personal turmoil.

Geriatric patients often arrive at care centers in just this set of circumstances. A willingness to reach out and flourish is often severely lacking - and for obvious reasons. A well-intentioned staff will try traditional methods to increase socialization while providing treatments, medications and therapies for the conditions with which they come. Sometimes this is successful and sometimes it is not.

For severe cases of depression or anti-social behavior, the touch related therapy a pet can bring to the Geriatric setting is invaluable. Often these people are depressed and unwilling to interact with their caregivers for a multitude of reasons. However, a dog or a cat, for example, can bring an instantaneous change in attitude and behavior. It is like magic for these people who otherwise would be impossible to reach. They markedly improve and often eventually are willing (or able) to interact with others as well.

In physical therapy a dog or cat may be used to increase range of motion. The goal may be to achieve a measured distance of movement that can be equated to the distance of petting the animal from head to tail. These range-of-motion outcomes are reached more quickly when an animal is involved. The combination of the touch therapy associated with the human-animal connection brings amazing results.

Pet Therapy is not limited to the traditional healthcare setting. There are many programs utilizing the panacea of animals. Handling and riding horses brings much success to many troubled youth programs. Using Pet Therapy, mental health has published studies reporting remarkable improvements and recovery in such diagnosis as severe anxiety and depression. And one of the surprises of pet therapy is programs bringing animals into prisons.

In selected areas of the US, inmates are screened and selected to care for and train dogs that have been rescued. With proper socialization and training, these dogs - that would otherwise have been euthanized - are put up for adoption within the community.

Inmates gain a sense of accomplishment as they are taught and have success in training their assigned pets. They develop their sense of compassion as their pets require not only work, but caring and affection as well. They gain good standing within the system as they demonstrate their increased abilities to see outside of themselves and show they are responsible trainers and caretakers. This symbiotic relationship has shown tremendous benefits for both human and animal.

Pet therapy has been successful in many settings, but overall recognition is still coming. Success has been demonstrated time and time again, although more studies are needed to bring about universal acceptance.

Regardless, some healthcare facilities and other agencies are very committed to bringing this form of therapy to those they serve. Certainly the human partners on the pet therapy teams are dedicated to bringing this invaluable form of assistance to people in all settings.

Animals provide companionship and the therapy of a furry touch that people and caregivers cannot offer. The unconditional acceptance of animals and their ability to read energy at the deepest level provides recipients with an experience unmatched by any human. Indeed the therapy provided by these four legged creatures is an experience from which nearly everyone can benefit.