Pet therapy – animal treatment

Pet therapy is a popular technique used in psychotherapy and rehabilitation medicine. The name of this direction comes from the English pet therapy, where pet is “pet”. Other names that are also often used when talking about this technique are animal therapy, animal therapy, animal therapy. As a rule, dogs, cats, horses, guinea pigs or fish are used for medicinal purposes. The purpose of such therapy is to accelerate the recovery of a patient with physical, mental or psychological disorders. Some especially popular variations of zootherapy have received their own names. For example, treatment with the involvement of dolphins is dolphin therapy, horses – hippotherapy, cats – feline therapy, dogs – canistherapy.

From what it all began

The idea of ​​using animals as part of the healing process is not new. According to some reports, this practice was resorted to by the ancient Greeks, who discovered that animals, especially horses, are able to raise the spirits of seriously ill patients.

The second wave of popularity of pet therapy (although at that time there was no talk of such a name) swept through Europe in the XNUMXth century. Then the doctors realized that after the patients spend some time with the horses, they feel better. This also applied to persons with mental disorders, and with severe physical illnesses, accompanied by severe pain.

One of the first who became seriously interested in the topic of the healing effect of animals on humans was a British public figure, Sister of Mercy Florence Nightingale. Soon the British had a lot of like-minded people. The era of scientific experiments and observations began, in which people with different types of disorders became participants. But still, the first to officially develop pet therapy was the American child psychiatrist Boris Levinson. He found that in the presence of a dog, children with autism make contact more easily. By the way, modern doctors also agree that animals (even a small aquarium with fish) help to partially mitigate the child’s fear of unpleasant procedures – whether it’s an injection or a dentist appointment.

What is modern pet therapy

Those who first heard about this very extraordinary trend in medicine probably want to know what pet therapy is. To begin with, it should be said that modern zootherapy includes two areas.

Western experts call the first direction animal-associated therapy. This is a method of treating patients with the involvement of animals in this process. With the help of this technique, patients are helped to recover from serious illnesses, improve or develop motor skills, and alleviate the symptoms of mental disorders. That is, it is a specific program for the treatment of various types of diseases.

The second branch of pet therapy in the West is known as animal-associated activity. It has a broader scope of the impact of animal energy on humans. The main function of this technique is to improve the emotional state of a person.

Who benefits from pet therapy

The theory of pet therapy builds on the pre-existing relationship between man and animal. Contact with friendly pets in many cases helps to improve the physical and mental condition of a person.

This unusual method of treatment can be useful for a wide variety of disorders. Pet therapy is resorted to if the patient’s medical history contains:

• epilepsy;
• cerebral palsy;
• autism;
• depression;
• post-traumatic stress disorder;
• high blood pressure;
• diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Animal therapy is also advised to people who have experienced a stroke and are prone to depression (for example, against the background of an oncological disease). Some animals help relieve pain, relieve stress, and improve overall psychological well-being. Pet therapy can be helpful for improving motor skills and coordination, boosting self-esteem, and developing social skills. This method is also used in palliative medicine (care for patients who have no hope of a cure). As a rule, animals that are easy to train are involved in zootherapy. These are dogs, dolphins, horses and even pigs. And in some cases, even some types of rodents, lizards, donkeys, birds can be useful. By the way, American experts have discovered an interesting pattern: pet owners usually recover more easily and quickly from anesthesia, they are more socially active and, as a rule, live longer.

Pets also have a beneficial effect on older people – they help them cope with feelings of loneliness and prevent depression. They also reduce the aggression that can occur in people with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. In the West, the method of animal therapy is actively used in nursing homes. Older people who come into contact with animals are less likely to suffer from memory lapses and remain physically active longer.

Children also benefit from pet therapy. Animals help them in learning, contribute to the development of cognitive abilities and strengthen memory.

How pet therapy works

The fact that friendly animals have a beneficial effect on humans has already been accepted by the scientific world. But scientists cannot yet explain with accuracy the mechanism of pet therapy, and also why this technique helps some patients, but not others.

Evidence from some studies indicates that watching animals increases activity in the prefrontal cortex. This area is responsible for decision making and social interaction.

In addition, pet therapy activates the production of endorphins. These hormones are responsible for the feeling of pleasure, and are also characterized by analgesic activity, soothe, improve mood, relieve anxiety and stress. By the way, the normalization of blood pressure and the improvement of the cardiovascular system, which are observed in some patients on the background of pet therapy, are also associated by many scientists with a more active production of endorphins.

How different animals affect humans

One cannot say that one or another type of animal has “medicinal properties” against a particular disease. The benefits of pet therapy are usually talked about in general terms, but sometimes some pets can be more beneficial. For example, for people with limited mobility in the role of “doctors” calm and phlegmatic animals are better suited. If the task of zootherapy is to help cope with fear, depression, motivate to action, then more active animals are selected as a companion.

Dogs

Scientific observations show that dog owners tend to live longer, their physical health is stronger, and their mental state is stable. Dogs are believed to reduce the risk of heart disease in their owners. And for those who have had a heart attack, these animals, as well as cats, help prevent a possible recurrence of an attack.

Dolphins

Dolphin therapy is one of the most popular forms of pet therapy. Interaction with this intelligent animal helps in the development of the physical and emotional component. Playing with a dolphin in the water requires certain movements from a person, that is, it also contributes to the development of physical strength. In addition, it has been proven that even watching dolphins has a calming effect on a person, visits to dolphinariums improve mood, help overcome depression and feelings of loneliness. Some experts say that dolphin therapy even helps to improve metabolism.

Cats

Felinotherapy is usually resorted to when it is necessary to balance the emotional state and relieve stress. Watching the graceful movements of cats, as well as the special vibrations of their purring, help a person to relax, distract from disturbing thoughts and calm down. But the theory that a cat always lies on a sore spot and thereby heals has not been scientifically confirmed. Experts are inclined to think that if some cat lovers experience pain relief after contact with an animal, then this is more likely a placebo effect. Although in some cases a cat can play the role of a banal heating pad, which is useful for various types of pain.

Horses

Treatment through horseback riding is called hippotherapy. This technique is often advised to patients with cerebral palsy and some other neurological disorders, after a stroke or to eliminate the consequences of injuries. Riding a horse helps develop physical strength, coordination and a sense of balance. In addition, horse lovers know that in order to establish contact with her, you need to constantly talk to her. From this point of view, hippotherapy helps people restore speech and other social skills. Experts have noticed that horse riding helps to manage anger, makes a person calmer, improves self-esteem, and for some, after contact with a horse, blood pressure decreases.

Some caveats

Knowing about pet therapy, it may seem that having a pet is enough to experience all the benefits of this treatment method. But experts do not quite agree with this. In their opinion, the animal itself is not a medicine, and contrary to popular myths, the pet does not know who and how to “treat”. In order for pet therapy to give the expected therapeutic effect, the treatment must be supervised by a specialist. In addition, in case of serious physical or mental disorders, zootherapy is not a self-sufficient method of treatment, but only an auxiliary part of complex therapy.

For traditional pet therapy, which should bring a real therapeutic effect, only specially trained animals are chosen. Before becoming a “doctor”, a pet must undergo a veterinary examination and training, learn how to respond correctly in certain moments:

• do not panic in unexpected situations;
• do not rush at a person, including a stranger;
• be socialized;
• have well-developed obedience skills;
• understand how to behave around children, people in wheelchairs or with crutches.

But even if a pet is not considered part of the therapy, the owner of the animal can still feel some health benefits. For example, if a person has a dog at home, this means that he will have to regularly walk his pet. And this is an additional physical activity that is so useful for all systems. In addition, dogs, cats, fish, hamsters or parrots for many owners become personal psychotherapists: a person pours out his soul to an animal, talks about what he does not dare to talk about with other people. By the way, the American psychiatrist Eleanor Voloy even put forward a theory that the relationship of a pet to its owner is somewhat reminiscent of maternal love, which makes pet therapy unique.

Possible contraindications and harm

Regardless of the purpose for which an animal is needed – to treat a disease or to improve mood, in any case, it is necessary to select a “pet doctor” with the help of a specialist and taking into account the state of health and characteristics of the patient’s body.

For example, if a person is afraid of dogs, then, of course, canistherapy is contraindicated for him. People with spinal injuries, even if they really like horses, should not ride horses. If a person suffers from a lack of intimacy or lack of warmth, then a turtle or fish in an aquarium is unlikely to help solve the problem. Cats are contraindicated for people with allergies, and people with neurological or mental disabilities should not get animals that can be aggressive or shy. That is, pet therapy is all purely individual, the main thing is to listen to your feelings and the advice of specialists.

The success of pet therapy depends on many factors, including the realistic goals set and the desire of the patient to improve well-being. But if zootherapy is carried out in accordance with all the rules, following the recommendations of specialists, then there will definitely be no harm from it.

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