Pet Therapy

The survey will help me reach the goal of reducing the feelings of depression, loneliness, low self-steam and autonomy that older adults face when they live alone. With the survey I will get information about which areas the participant improved after spending time with their dog or cat, and what areas need improvement. The animals should provide love to the elders, and companionship. I will also be able to see the benefits that dogs bring to the health of the elders, like normal blood pressure and higher immune

We all know that owning pets make us happy. But research is suggesting that pets can also make us healthy, or healthier. That explain the increasing use of animal therapy, dogs and cats mostly, but people also use birds, fish and even horses, they are being used in hospitals, nursing homes to schools, jails and mental institutions. They are being use for

The Elderly – The benefits of having a companion animal can be life-changing for seniors. Walking a dog is a great way to get cardiovascular exercise, and the simple act of caring for a pet can provide a means of stimulation for seniors and a way to stay mentally and physically engaged. The elderly may feel needed when taking care of a pet, and that feeling can give them a greater sense of purpose. Having an AAT enables more socialization, lowers stress, and increases mental stimulation.

The practice of using animals as therapy tools is becoming ever more popular and common place in the mental health field. Animal assisted therapy (AAT) was formally defined by the Delta Society as “a goal-directed intervention in which an animal that meets specific criteria is an integral part of the treatment process” (Kruger, Trachtenberg, & Serpell, 2004). The hope is that the specially trained animal will help facilitate conversation, and subsequently healing, between the therapist and the client. AAT is focused on improving the humans physical, mental, emotional, and social functioning. Animal assisted therapy is not to be confused with service animals: service animals fall under the category of animal-assisted activities

Owning and caring for pets is an extremely normal thing for people throughout the world. The love that millions of communities have for animals is huge and it brings a multitude of people together because of their common bond. Many studies have indicated that owning a pet can better the owner’s health, and even lengthen his/her life. Pets can be incredibly helpful for a variety of reasons making people agree that pets bring more enjoyment than dissatisfaction. Owning pets has become a very popular trend for a number of reasons, such as service, protection, and companionship.

Cherniack, E. P., and Ariella R. Cherniack. "The Benefit of Pets and Animal-Assisted Therapy to the Health of Older Individuals." Current Gerontology and Geriatrics Research (2014)ProQuest. Web. 23 Sep. 2016.

This helpful form of cognitive therapy has been proven by several researchers from the NIH (News in Health) to reduce stressors and improve cardiovascular function for long term benefits. One particular NIH study researched the effects of animal companionship in 421 adults who had previously suffered from heart attack or stroke. Regardless of the severity of the attack, the study showed that after a one year later the patients who owned a dog lived longer and happier lives than those who did not. Pet owners are shown to live a more active lifestyle and exercise regularly to improve physical health. ‘Several psychologist’s and doctors nationwide are researching the benefits of incorporating animal assisted therapy within medical institutions to promote wellness and positivity. The heart rates and cholesterol levels of patients also reduced substantially due to the stress-relieving benefits of participating in AAT. Animals of all kinds have been shown throughout many credible research experiments to enhance an individual’s mental and physical health over

Not only are pets therapeutic for humans but they also can be beneficial to the physical well-being of a person. Having a pet can mean staying active and thus being physically healthier. While many pets require walking, playing or simply require more physical work like cleaning, bathing etc. it pushes people to be more active on a daily basis which is healthier than sitting on a couch watching television. Having a pet can also add structure or a daily routine to a person’s life. For example “Dogs require a regular feeding and exercise schedule. Having a consistent routine keeps a dog balanced and calm—and it can work for you, too. No matter your mood—depressed, anxious, or stressed—one plaintive look from your dog and you’ll have to get out

Florence Nightingale, a founder of nursing philosophy, noted in her 1859 nursing notes that a small pet was an excellent companion for the sick, especially patients with chronic cases. Pet therapy is a therapeutic aid that supports medical cures and enhances the relational and emotional status of the sufferer. A Hypothesis propounded on by doctors S.R. Kellert and E.O. Wilson was “No one who looks at the evidence can doubt that animals in hand improve the quality of modern human life…” (sic). An indisputable study proved that a therapy dog can reduce the agitation behavior in institutionalized persons with the Alzheimer’s diseases. A study conducted at the University of California showed that having animals at nursing homes also gave

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a form of therapy which promotes social interaction, as well as improvements in human social, emotional, physical and/or cognitive functioning, creates an environment where the client can disclose and experience empathy, trust, sensitivity, and comfort (Coetzee, Beukes, & Lynch, 2013; Pet Partners, 2012). Pet/animal assisted therapy has been traced back to the 18th century, with records indicating that in 1919 pets accompanied psychiatric patients in a Washington D.C hospital (Chu, Liu, Sun, & Lin, 2009). When therapy sessions are accompanied by the presence of an animal, the client enters a non-threatening, safe and trusting environment where self-disclosure of personal emotions and experiences becomes easier for the client (Reviewed by Coetzee, Beukes, & Lynch, 2013).

While the concept of animals as companions to humans is ancient, it is only during the past thirty years or so that researchers have began to study the question of why humans keep pets. The term human-animal bond has come to represent endeavors in this area. The human-animal bond is defined by the American Veterinary Medical Association as a “mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship between people and other animals that is influenced by behaviors that are essential to the health and well-being of both.” It has been proven that animals make a positive difference in people's lives. In fact, there are some individuals whom rely on

(Introduction) What makes dogs such good companions and comforters? Is it their unconditional love? Their non-judgmental attitude? Their amazing loyalty? Or could it be a mix of all of these? Dogs have been used for therapists for a very long time. As one reporter states, “The use of pets in medical settings actually dates back more than 150 years” (Reporter, 2012). So why are dogs good for therapy? And what benefits do they bring? And what do they actually do? One reporter who works for a therapy dog agency seems to sum it all up: “Science is finally confirming what people have known intuitively for years: therapy dogs help people physically, emotionally, and socially” (Becker, 2016). The real question is: Can therapy dogs actually bring benefits and improvements into peoples’ lives that would not otherwise have been there? The answer: yes. Why? Therapy dogs change and improve peoples’ lives because they offer support to struggling patients, they do not judge people who are feeling low about themselves, they help people see the joy in life, they release hormones that improve our bodies. In other words, “It’s something us dog people have always known: dogs improve our lives, and sometimes even save them” (Geir, 2015).

Animal therapy is where animals are used to improve conditions of patients suffering from social, physical, emotional functioning. The animals have also been important to patients with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) a condition that affects those who have experienced turmoil event. Different kind of animals can are used in therapy; they include dogs also referred to as canine-assisted therapy, horses also called equine assisted therapy, dolphins, rabbits and some other animals (Lefaucheur et al, 2014).

These studies have shown that there has been more of an effect on elderly people and patients while interacting with dogs rather than humans. Inmates that were therapy sessions with a dog present improved in social skills. “When the dog was present, participants, particularly those with the least positive attitude toward psychothera satisfaction with the therapist. Well as more willingness to disclose personal information.” (Front pyschol Increased trust and trustworthiness

Research shows in human patients that treating the whole person; mind, body and spirit, the patient has a much better chance of maintaining a healthy body. For scores of years the unacceptable behavior in animals, specifically in dogs was blamed on the back yard breeders and lack of affordable spay/neuter for an ever increasing pet population, all the while neglecting to confront the behavior issues. The Veterinary Visit was so scary, cold and unappealing to animals that many pet parents chose to stay way. Pet parents would have rather risked the suffering of their pets. In any event by doing so they would miss the intervention that could have eliminated these consequences. Therefore, by incorporating behavior as part of their daily practice protocol, a Veterinary Hospital visit would be a more enticing place to come to and pet parents would routinely bring their pet without question. Many Practices are concerned that such a program would be costly. This could not be any farther from the truth, in fact most of tips that are used to make a practice “fear free” are at minimal cost or no cost at