Any communication with our smaller brothers for kids – especially preschoolers and younger students – is useful. First, when caring for a pet, a child learns kindness and care. Secondly, it is believed that children who grow up next to animals are less likely to get sick and suffer from allergies less. And yet – officially proven – animals help to heal children.
Everyone knows: aquarium fish relieve stress, cats lie down on a sore spot and, if not treated, then draw attention to the problem. There is research confirming that communication with small rodents – mice, hamsters, rats – helps with shyness. But now we are talking about other diseases. Horse riding, swimming with dolphins for some, maybe entertainment. But for many children this is a real rehabilitation. Recognized, by the way, by the World Health Organization.
This method was discovered by the American psychologist Boris Levinson back in the 1960s. He noticed that one of his patients with severe autism, nine-year-old Johnny, is doing much better after talking to Jingle, a dog who was in the specialist’s waiting room during treatment. And he offered to use his discovery for the benefit of children’s health. A few years later, he also patented the name “pet therapy”.
How are animals treated? Energy! It not only helps to strengthen the health of the child and his nervous system, but also stabilizes emotional development. The list of diseases about which children are advised to communicate with mustachioed tailed beasts is huge: autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, neuroses, impaired vision, hearing, speech, problems with the musculoskeletal system, and so on.
This is not a miracle, not a panacea or magic
The use of pet therapy does not mean that you can surround a child with horses, birds, fish, dogs, and he will immediately feel better. Firstly, in order for the effect to be noticeable, it is not enough to communicate with the animal once. As a rule, you need a cycle of classes with specially selected exercises. Secondly, animal-assisted therapy is not the main, but an additional treatment, and, like any therapy, it should not be applied thoughtlessly and uncontrollably.
In addition, there are contraindications even to this type of rehabilitation. Most often it is an individual intolerance to the fur or saliva of the animal. But there are such severe mental changes when a child is afraid or hates an animal. In this case, the “treatment” will not lead to good.
Hippotherapy – rehabilitation with horseback riding. The horse functions as a “trainer” that will make all muscles work, as well as a “massager” for the rider’s legs. In addition, horseback riding concentrates attention, teaches composure. It is recommended for many diseases: from Down syndrome and cerebral palsy to head injuries. In addition, horses are considered ideal helpers for social adaptation in autism.
Where to do: in many equestrian schools or specialized centers.
Dolphin therapy recommended for children with mental, mental, physiological diseases. Why dolphins? They are believed to be treated with ultrasound. More precisely, they “talk” to them, but these sounds stimulate the work of the brain, affect the work of the nervous system. And, besides, it is perhaps one of the friendliest animals. If a child has problems with socialization, they will definitely help.
Where to do: on the basis of local dolphinariums, classes are conducted with specially trained animals.
Canister therapy and feline therapy – types of treatment with dogs and cats. These are the most popular pets, which means that “healers” can always be at hand without much extra cost. Dogs contribute to the development of mental and emotional abilities, communication with dogs is recommended for children with autism, cerebral palsy, hyperactivity, neurosis. The physical activity of the child caring for the dog will be ensured.
Cats, in turn, relieve stress and treat pain. Their presence is recommended for children who have problems with the skeletal system, as well as frequent inflammation.
Where to do: the easiest option is to have a pet and communicate with it every day as much as you like.
Sofia, son of Semyon, 5 years old. Diagnosis – autism
“One of the outyat correction methods is dolphin therapy. It is considered an alternative, it is unlikely to be written in the recommendations in official extracts, but the results are amazing. Five lessons, and my son, firstly, swims with dolphins himself, and secondly, he finally sits on the pot. We couldn’t beat him for almost two years! The only upset is the cost of such therapy. It is unlikely that we will pull another course in the near future, but they need to be taken regularly ”.