Therapeutic Pets

I talked to both my psychologist, Doctor Samantha Jordan, and my psychiatrist, Doctor Sandra Kovachi, and they both believe having a service dog would be helpful for my needs.

Animals have been domesticated for about 15,000 years; surprisingly, pet therapy has only been around for a few hundred years (Ernst). It amazed me that it took such a lengthy amount of time for the human race to discover the benefits that animals could have on human health. The first time pets were recognized as having therapeutic potential was in the late 1800s when Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, observed and recorded the ability of animals to reduce anxiety in patients (Ernst). The use of pet therapy was continued by the use of other psychotherapists, but, at this point, no official programs for pet therapy had been introduced. One of the main examples of the people who also used pet therapy is Sigmund Freud, who, in the 1930s, used his favorite dog, named Jofi, during psychotherapy sessions; furthermore, Boris Levinson in the 1960s used his dog, Jingles, during children’s therapy sessions as a stepping stone for communication (Ernst). The thing I found most fascinating was the fact that these dogs were the pets of the men, and they just happened to bring them to their therapy sessions. It seems like an extraordinary happenstance that lead to the use of pets in therapy for the benefit of many people. However, when Levinson published his results, he was not immediately recognized for it, as stated by Lorraine Ernst, “Based on his collective experience, Levinson presented a paper at an American Psychological Association meeting, but he was not taken seriously until Freud’s experiences with Jofi came to light. Levinson went on to author Pet-Oriented Child Psychotherapy and became known as 'the father of AAT.” Personally, I am quite glad that Freud’s experiences were unveiled because they lead to the creation of many very valuable programs such as Therapy Dogs International, a program with

The benefits of animal-assisted therapy towards children varies, one of the benefits is to be able to bring out the best out of the child. The animal could connect with the child spiritually and could improve self-esteem because the child would finally feel accepted by the animal (Weston, 2010) as this quote stated, “A therapy dog may be the first creature who has listened and responded to the child with such enthusiasm and compassion. This can result in the child feeling heard and important” (Pichot, 2007 cited in Weston, 2010). The animals are capable of taking the pressure off the child as s/he is going through a difficult experience and being forced to deal with people, the animal can take up the role of being the child’s supporter. Animals can be used as a “bribe” because some children does not want to attend to therapy but is willing to show up because of the animal which is good because in the end the child would be able to receive the therapy s/he needs. Animals that are trained to be assisted therapy animal are capable of switching its beneficial roles to be able to comfort

To what extent is owning a dog beneficial for a person’s physical and psychological health? ________________________________________

Pets provide a sense of comfort and purpose in their owner’s life (Bennett). Humans have the basic need to touch, thus, when a person strokes an animal, blood pressure lowers and leaves that person feeling more calmed and less stressed (Robinson and Segal), though researchers believe that cats have a more calming effect on people than other animals do (WebMD). Giving a child a pet is very effective in helping them develop basic motor and social skills, a sense of responsibility, compassion, empathy, stimulate imagination, creativity, curiosity, and even make them feel better about themselves. Furthermore, both children and adults alike become more active when having a pet for a companion (Robinson and Segal). “Horseback riding gives stretching exercise, and helps at regaining balance and building core strength” (WebMD). While multiple studies have shown that walking one’s dog, grooming, and even petting boosts fitness, also counting as weight-loss, strengthens the heart, muscles, immune system, and bones, while improving blood circulation, boosting energy, and slowing the loss of bone tissue (WebMD; Robinson and Segal; Humane Society of the United States) “People who have pets tend to have better levels of cholesterol, cortisol, and triglyceride” (WebMD), moreover, “playing with a dog or cat can elevate levels serotonin and dopamine, which calm and relax” (Robinson and Segal). “In 2001, a study

There are lots of people who can benefit from pet therapy. People who can benefit from pet therapy are people having denture problems, receiving cancer treatment, people in long term facilities, people hospitalized with chronic heart failure, and veterans with PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder.) Not just people who are dealing with the struggling events can benefit from pet therapy. The person's family can also benefit from pet therapy because they know the person will not be alone anymore. The person's friends can benefit from

they offer their support by being a non-threatening presence during their personal grieving process. Upon further research and reading a number of testimonials, there is one particular case that stands out and draws parallels to A Simple Heart. In In correspondence, Therapy Pets: The Animal-Human Healing Partnership, by Jacqueline J. Crawford, there is one particular chapter that tells the story of a woman who learned to cope and move on with the assistance of a therapy dog named “Brutus”. The chapter tells the story of Loretta Brobst, a depressed, morbidly obese woman who had trouble coping with her life trauma. Intertwined with her morbid obesity were substantial health problems and chronic, severe psychological problems.

Owning a pet does extradonry wonders to your health. One reason I believe this is that dogs can now detect diffrent types of cancer in human bodies.Dogs are able to figure out where the cancer is in less than three hours. Another reason why owning a pet boost your health is that they lower the chance for diseases such as heart disease and cardiovascular disease. They also lower chances of high blood pressure. Also people that suffer from a heart attack and own a dog are twice as likely to fully

Questions arise concerning the treatment of therapy dogs when visiting patients and whether animal-assisted therapy really works at all; however, those who disagree aren’t looking at the big picture. Animal-assisted therapy is both an ethical and effective therapy method due to its success in treating those with chronic diseases, disorders, and managing stress and anxiety. The varieties of cases regarding the success of therapy dog treatments far surmount the amount of cases saying otherwise. Animal-assisted therapy stems from the human-animal connection, one of the most unique and powerful bonds man has ever experienced. It is that connection that allows animal assisted therapy to be a critical part of everyone’s daily

Animals can play a significant role in a human's life. Some animals that we know do that are dogs. Dogs can change a human's life in a positive way. Some dogs are trained then later used in war. Other dogs are used as pets and to cheer their owners up that suffer from PTSD. In the article “Feeling Depressed? There’s a Dog for That” by Jacqueline Bennett as you get to the 12th paragraph it says “There are a growing number of organizations dedicated to training service dogs to help those suffering from PTSD, particularly veterans. In fact, dogs have been proven so effective at helping combat anxiety, stress, and depression, the government

In a recent study conducted by Rebecca Johnson, Ph.D., RN, of the University of Missouri-Columbia Center for the Study of Animal Wellness showed that when humans pet a dog, within minutes there is a huge amount of beneficial hormones known to be associated with health and feelings of well-being.(Becker par. 2) These hormones are called beta endorphin, prolactin, dopamine, oxytocin, and beta phenylethylamine (Becker par. 2). The hormones that are released from the interaction between the animal and the human allow the patients to feel more blissful and trusting. Along with being emotionally benefited from working with animals in assisted therapy; people can benefit physically. For example, people who have physical

Scientists have shown that pet ownership can have demonstrably positive effects on human health. "A 10-month prospective study was carried out which examined changes in behaviour and health status in 71 adult subjects following the acquisition of a new pet (either dogs or cats). A group of 26 subjects without pets served as a comparison over the same period. Both pet-owning groups reported a highly significant reduction in minor health problems during the first month following pet acquisition, and this effect was sustained in dog owners through to 10 months" (Serpell 1991). Dog owners in particular benefited from

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

First, owning a pet can give people some major health benefits. Without a pet, a day at work or school can be stressful. By the end of the day, people could be ripping out their hair or throwing papers everywhere. This can make anyone’s heart rate go up as well as their blood pressure. Thankfully, studies have shown that interacting with a dog or other pet can lower his or her’s cortisol levels. For instance, after only three months, a group of people working with dogs were shown to have significant drops in blood pressure and stress. Pet’s happy go lucky vibes can impact their owners to feel the same, lowering his or her’s stress level. Even when someone sees a picture of their pet when they're stressed, it can immediately cause his or her’s heart

“I think I could turn and live with the animals. They are so placid and self-contained,'; writes American poet Walt Whitman (Schellenberg 1). Yes, pets have been part of human culture throughout history, and in American households, they are more common than children. It is reported that 58% of U.S. households have at least one pet, whereas only 35% have children (Whitaker; Witherell 76). Owners spend billions of dollars each year on pet food, accessories, and veterinary care, but apparently pets give back, too (Schellenberg 1). Medical studies show that pet companionship offers concrete health benefits (Simross 14). While only in the past few decades have scientists become interested in the benefits of pets on human health