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Animal therapy, also known as pet therapy, is all about using pets and animals to help people recover and cope with physical, mental and emotional conditions. Animal therapy can help people with many different types of mental health conditions, according to Medical News Today, and there is a myriad of animals to choose from, including dogs, mini horses, reptiles, and even birds.
These furry friends are also being used frequently school settings and support students on their educational journey. The bottom line is, animals can be really good for your mental and physical wellness.
Types of Animal Therapy
Animals that are used for therapy are trained in a way to provide comfort and affection, according to verywell health. Therapy animals can be used in different ways depending on the needs of the users. For example, children going to horseback riding therapy are all sharing the horses in the therapy’s facility. On the other hand, emotional support animals are meant to support only their owner.
Animals can significantly help a person relax. In animal therapy sessions, animals can sometimes serve as a great icebreaker between the patient and the client, they say. That’s because according to BACP Counseling, animals can significantly help a person relax.
This allows people to explore their feelings and experiences, similar to talk therapy but with the assistance of the animal. This human-animal bond gives the patient the comfort and support they need throughout the therapeutic process.
Benefits of Animal Therapy
Some of the many benefits of animal therapy can vary by the condition of the patient and their goal when going into the therapy environment. On the other hand, some of the benefits can also be fairly universal. According to the American Psychiatric Association, animals such as dogs can help people build rapport with their therapist, boost their social skills, help the patient connect to their therapist and to others, build their self confidence and provide companionship.
Other benefits that can come out of having animal therapy include reduced stress and anxiety, decreased feeling of pain, as well as boosting motivation and focus. Those are essential needs for everyone, especially people who have gone through difficult challenges, are anxious, or have mental health conditions.
While animal therapy can be highly therapeutic and beneficial, it is important to note that it shouldnt replace other necessary therapies and treatments. When included in a comprehensive treatment plan, animal therapy can be exactly what a person may need in their healing and wellness journey.
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