For centuries man has had a mystical bond with animals. Scientists are still trying to figure out how this happens and explain how contact with animals affects a person’s physiology. But in recent years, regardless of the lack of empirical evidence to the benefits, nurses, psychologists, teachers and other professionals who deal with people with mental and physical illnesses have started to bring animal interaction into their facilities and treatment plans.
Pet therapy goes beyond seeing-eye dogs for the blind or companion dogs for the hearing impaired. The observed psychological impact of animals on people’s moods has produced other therapy purposes.
What is Animal Assisted Therapy?
Bringing animals directly into a therapeutic role is called Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) or Animal Assisted Activities (AAA). Sometimes the interaction involves simply bringing an animal into a hospital, care home or school to allow the children or residents to interact with the animal. Animal assisted therapy, by comparison, an animal is incorporated into a structured treatment plan.
The most common pets used are dogs and cats, but fish, rabbits, guinea pigs, horses and other farm animals are also used. Some programs take the animals directly to the patients; others take those with behavioral issues out of their normal surroundings and introduces them to a farm setting.
Dogs and cats in particular, however, go through a screening process to ensure that the animal has the right temperament and obedience training before being introduced into a therapeutic environment.
The Effect of Animals
While science still works to explain how animals affect a person’s emotions and health, psychologists have learned the following:
1) Animals foster and teach empathy. People are able to relate to animals because an animal’s world and perspective of the world is really simple. Their moods are easier to read than humans.
2) Animals draw those with mental illness or low self-esteem issues out of themselves by encouraging them to focus on someone or something other than themselves.
3) Animals bring out a nurturing instinct. Normally this ability is learned from parents, but even those who did not have a nurturing upbringing can learn to nurture from caring for an animal.
4) Animals foster an emotionally safe, non-threatening communication between a client and their therapist. The impression is given that the therapist can be trusted because the animal trusts him or her.
5) Animals accept people as they are. They don’t base their affection on looks or money or possessions. An animal’s affection is unconditional and they do not play head games.
6) Animals are a source of entertainment. Anyone who has watched a dog romp with a ball or a cat play with a ball of yarn or laser pointer or other pet interactions can make people laugh.
7) Animals make people feel good. “Studies have shown that when dogs and cats come to visit a care facility, there is more laughter and interaction among residents than during any other ‘therapy’ or entertainment time…the present of animals encourages socialization…it is easier to talk to residents during and after animal visits…A researcher reviewed 25 studies that examined the effect pets had on nursing home patients and discovered they were more alert and smiled more when the animals were there; patients who were physically aggressive calmed down and allowed people to be near them” (www.holisticsonline.com).
8) Animals provide mental stimulation through increased communication with others, memories and entertainment. Animals brighten the atmosphere and decrease people’s feelings of isolation or alienation.
9) Studies have shown that animals actually decrease heart rates and blood pressure. “In one study conducted by Drs. Alan Beck and Aaron Katcher at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, subjects had their blood pressure taken when they spoke to a researcher. Then a dog was introduced into the room. The subjects’ blood pressure dropped when they petted or spoke to the animal…” (www.holisticonline.com).
10) Studies have also shown that animal owners live healthier, longer lives than non-pet owners. Dr. Aaron Katcher tracked 92 men during the first year following a heart attack. “One-third less people who owned pets died (six percent) than those who didn’t (28 percent)...A study conducted in 1990 of 1,000 Medicare patients discovered that dog owners visited their doctors 16 percent less often than those who didn’t own dogs” (www.holisticonline.com).
Animals have been shown to have calming effects on children with learning disorders and encourage learning, social interaction with other children, and attention.
Clearly, more research is necessary to figure out exactly why animals have such an impact on our lives, but it doesn’t take a scientist to tell us that animals can positively affect many lives in ways that we would never have thought possible.
Sources: The Chimo Project (www.chimoproject.ca); Holistic Online (www.holisticonline.com)