THERAPEUTIC VALUE OF PETS : BENEFITS  & POWER OF ANIMAL INTERACTION

THERAPEUTIC VALUE OF PETS : BENEFITS  & POWER OF ANIMAL INTERACTION

Having a dog or cat in your life provides you with a great amount of unconditional love, affection, and important physical, social and psychological benefits. When considering bringing a new animal into your home, remember if possible to adopt your new pet, not shop. There is an overabundance of unwanted puppies, kittens, dogs, and cats of all kinds filling shelters waiting for adoption. There are more unwanted pets than there is space for them. Adopting an unwanted pet (or two!) has an added benefit of saving a life, and your rescue pet will remind you each and every day how special that is for you both. Bringing a pet into your world will mean the world to you both. And, if you already have a pet, you know what that means.

There are many health benefits of owning a pet. They can increase opportunities to exercise, get outside, and socialize. Regular walking or playing with pets can decrease blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels.  Pets can help manage loneliness and depression by giving us companionship. Most households in the United States have at least one pet.

Studies have shown that the bond between people and their pets is linked to several health benefits, including:

• Decreased blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and symptoms of PTSD.
• Increased opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities; better cognitive function in older adults; and more opportunities to socialize

Pet therapy is a guided interaction between a person and a trained animal. It also involves the animal’s handler. The purpose of pet therapy is to help someone recover from or cope with a health problem or mental disorder.

Dogs and cats are most commonly used in pet therapy. However, fish, guinea pigs, horses, and other animals that meet screening criteria can also be used. The type of animal chosen depends on the therapeutic goals of a person’s treatment plan.

Pet therapy is also referred to as animal-assisted therapy (AAT). AAT is sometimes confused with animal-assisted activities (AAA). AAT is a formal, structured set of sessions that helps people reach specific goals in their treatment. AAA involves more casual meetings in which an animal and its handler interact with one or more people for comfort or recreation.

What are the benefits of pet therapy?

Pet therapy builds on the pre-existing human-animal bond. Interacting with a friendly pet can help many physical and mental issues. It can help reduce blood pressure and improve overall cardiovascular health. It can also release endorphins that produce a calming effect. This can help alleviate pain, reduce stress, and improve your overall psychological state.

Pet therapy can be used in many different ways. Defined objectives are an important part of therapy, and your progress will be recorded and tracked at structured sessions.

The goals of a pet therapy program can include:

• improving motor skills and joint movement
• improving assisted or independent movement
• increasing self-esteem
• increasing verbal communication
• developing social skills
• increasing willingness to join in activities
• improving interactions with others
• motivating willingness to exercise

Other benefits of pet therapy include:

• making you happier, lessening depression, and improving your outlook on life
• decreasing loneliness and isolation by giving you a companion
• reducing boredom
• reducing anxiety because of its calming effects
• helping children learn empathic and nurturing skills
• improving the relationship between you and your healthcare provider

Who should consider pet therapy?

Pet therapy can be useful for:

• people undergoing chemotherapy
• residents in long-term care facilities
• people hospitalized with chronic heart failure
• veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder
• children having physical or dental procedures
• stroke victims and people undergoing physical therapy to regain motor skills
• people with mental health disorders

During a medical procedure, people may have less anxiety if a pet is present. In rehabilitation, people may be more motivated to recover and practice their therapy when working with a pet. People who have sensory disabilities can sometimes communicate more easily with an animal. This encourages more interaction with healthcare providers and other people.

What are the risks of pet therapy?

Some of the biggest risks of pet therapy involve safety and sanitation. People who are allergic to animal dander may have reactions during pet therapy. Animals in pet therapy programs are typically screened for behavior and health. An animal’s owner and handler must also undergo training and an evaluation to help ensure a positive experience.

While uncommon, human injury can occur when unsuitable animals are used. Animals may also suffer injury or abuse when handled inappropriately. In some cases, people may become possessive of the animals helping them and be reluctant to give them up after a session. This can result in low self-esteem and depression.

How is pet therapy administered?

Your doctor or therapist managing your treatment will administer pet therapy. A trained handler, often the pet’s owner, will take the animal to every meeting and work under your doctor or therapist’s direction to help you reach your goals. In most cases, the handlers work as volunteers. Discussion of proper pet handling is needed to ensure the safety of both the person receiving treatment and the pet.

The first step in pet therapy is the selection of a suitable animal. Many groups and organizations train and connect volunteer owners and pets with healthcare providers. Before an animal and its handler can participate in pet therapy, the team has to fulfill certain requirements. This process typically includes:

• a physical examination of the animal to confirm that it’s immunized and free of diseases
• an obedience training course to ensure proper animal control
• an instructional course to teach the trainer about interaction with other people
• an evaluation of the animal’s temperament and behavior with the handler
• a certification from the sponsoring organization

Once a team of an animal and a handler is approved, animals are assigned for therapy based on a specific person’s needs. The animal’s type, breed, size, age, and natural behavior will determine where it will be most helpful.

Used alongside conventional medicine, pet therapy (also known as animal-assisted therapy / AAT) has gained popularity as part of integrated medical treatments for a variety of different mental and physical health conditions, such as cancer, cerebral palsy, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and heart disease. Thousands upon thousands of human-animal teams exist across the world, and have raked up hundreds of thousands of service hours, despite inconclusive medical literature findings.

Therapy animals are typically trained to meet certain screening criteria, which is then useful for allocating an appropriate species to the set out therapeutic goals of an individual’s overall treatment plan (analysis of outcome measures).

Pet therapy is not just about bonding with an animal and feeling happier having spent time together. Pet therapy, or AAT (animal-assisted therapy) involves a set of sessions that are formally structured in order to be integrated into a therapy recipient’s existing treatment plan, aiding in reaching their overall goals. It is personalised according to a recipient’s treatment objectives as directed by a treating medical health professional. Therapy sessions are also well documented and form part of tracking a person’s recovery or healing progress.

Animals are also used for other functions known as animal-assisted activities (AAA). This is a less formalised set up and is generally used for more comforting purposes, recreation and play (casual interactions or visitations in hospitals, nursing homes and therapy environments).

Pet therapy doesn’t rely on an animal to ‘do the work’ for a recipient. A typical session may involve interactions such as walking together (where possible), petting and brushing or learning to physically care for or groom an animal. Pet therapy is an engaging experience, allowing physical contact (touch) through interaction, which often comes with a sense of achievement (a positive accomplishment which is beneficial for many treatment or rehabilitation programmes).

Pet therapy animals are not the same as service animals, such as those assisting emergency personnel with search and rescue or those with mobility challenges and problems with hearing or site. Service animals generally live with an owner who has a physical, or even an emotional disability, and are trained (and registered) to assist with day-to-day living and function.

Pet therapy animals are also trained to provide aid in a traditional therapy setting and are certified to do so. Interactions with these animals have been linked to improving a person’s emotional, social interaction ability (engaging people), physical and cognitive function.

The benefits of pets

Most pet owners are clear about the immediate joys that come with sharing their lives with companion animals. However, many of us remain unaware of the physical and mental health benefits that can also accompany the pleasure of snuggling up to a furry friend. It’s only recently that studies have begun to scientifically explore the benefits of the human-animal bond.

Pets have evolved to become acutely attuned to humans and our behavior and emotions. Dogs, for example, are able to understand many of the words we use, but they’re even better at interpreting our tone of voice, body language, and gestures. And like any good human friend, a loyal dog will look into your eyes to gauge your emotional state and try to understand what you’re thinking and feeling (and to work out when the next walk or treat might be coming, of course).

Pets, especially dogs and cats, can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, ease loneliness, encourage exercise and playfulness, and even improve your cardiovascular health. Caring for an animal can help children grow up more secure and active. Pets also provide valuable companionship for older adults. Perhaps most importantly, though, a pet can add real joy and unconditional love to your life. Ever notice that pet lovers tend to really love their pets? It’s as though they love them as much – or more – as some family members. This is not uncommon, for many dog and cat owners do have a very strong emotional bond with their feline and canine family members. There are really good reasons for this special kind of love affair.

Any pet can improve your health

While it’s true that people with pets often experience greater health benefits than those without, a pet doesn’t necessarily have to be a dog or a cat. A rabbit could be ideal if you’re allergic to other animals or have limited space but still want a furry friend to snuggle with. Birds can encourage social interaction and help keep your mind sharp if you’re an older adult. Snakes, lizards, and other reptiles can make for exotic companions. Even watching fish in an aquarium can help reduce muscle tension and lower your pulse rate.

Studies have shown that:

• Pet owners are less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets.
• People with pets have lower blood pressure in stressful situations than those without pets. One study even found that when people with borderline hypertension adopted dogs from a shelter, their blood pressure declined significantly within five months.
• Playing with a dog, cat, or other pet can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, which calm and relax.
• Pet owners have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels (indicators of heart disease) than those without pets.
• Heart attack patients with pets survive longer than those without.
• Pet owners over age 65 make 30 percent fewer visits to their doctors than those without pets.

One of the reasons for these therapeutic effects is that pets fulfill the basic human need for touch. Even hardened criminals in prison show long-term changes in their behavior after interacting with pets, many of them experiencing mutual affection for the first time. Stroking, hugging, or otherwise touching a loving animal can rapidly calm and soothe you when you’re stressed or anxious. The companionship of a pet can also ease loneliness, and most dogs are a great stimulus for healthy exercise, which can substantially boost your mood and ease depression.

How pets can improve your lifestyle

Adopting healthy lifestyle changes plays an important role in easing symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. Caring for a pet can help you make healthy lifestyle changes by:

Increasing exercise. Taking a dog for a walk, hike, or run are fun and rewarding ways to fit healthy daily exercise into your schedule. Studies have shown that dog owners are far more likely to meet their daily exercise requirements—and exercising every day is great for the animal as well. It will deepen the connection between you, eradicate most behavior problems in dogs, and keep your pet fit and healthy.

Providing companionship. Companionship can help prevent illness and even add years to your life, while isolation and loneliness can trigger symptoms of depression. Caring for an animal can help make you feel needed and wanted, and take the focus away from your problems, especially if you live alone. Most dog and cat owners talk to their pets, some even use them to work through their troubles. And nothing beats loneliness like coming home to a wagging tail or purring cat.

Helping you meet new people. Pets can be a great social lubricant for their owners, helping you start and maintain new friendships. Dog owners frequently stop and talk to each other on walks, hikes, or in a dog park. Pet owners also meet new people in pet stores, clubs, and training classes.

Reducing anxiety. The companionship of an animal can offer comfort, help ease anxiety, and build self-confidence for people anxious about going out into the world. Because pets tend to live in the moment—they don’t worry about what happened yesterday or what might happen tomorrow—they can help you become more mindful and appreciate the joy of the present.

Adding structure and routine to your day. Many pets, especially dogs, require a regular feeding and exercise schedule. Having a consistent routine keeps an animal balanced and calm—and it can work for you, too. No matter your mood—depressed, anxious, or stressed—one plaintive look from your pet and you’ll have to get out of bed to feed, exercise, and care for them.

Providing sensory stress relief. Touch and movement are two healthy ways to quickly manage stress. Stroking a dog, cat, or other animal can lower blood pressure and help you quickly feel calmer and less stressed.

The benefits of pets for older adults

As well as providing vital companionship, owning a pet can play an important role in healthy aging by helping you to:

Find meaning and joy in life. As you age, you’ll lose things that previously occupied your time and gave your life purpose. You may retire from your career or your children may move far away. Caring for a pet can bring pleasure and help boost your morale, optimism, and sense of self-worth. Choosing to adopt a pet from a shelter, especially an older pet, can add to your sense of fulfillment, knowing that you’ve provided a home to a pet that may otherwise have been euthanized.

Stay connected. Maintaining a social network isn’t always easy as you grow older. Retirement, illness, death, and relocation can take away close friends and family members. And making new friends can get harder. Pets, especially dogs, are a great way for older adults to spark up conversations and meet new people.

Boost your vitality. You can overcome many of the physical challenges associated with aging by taking good care of yourself. Dogs, cats, and other pets encourage playfulness, laughter, and exercise, which can help boost your immune system and increase your energy.

How pets help adults with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia

As part of the disease, Alzheimer’s patients may exhibit a variety of behavioral problems, many related to an inability to deal with stress.

• Research at the University of California at Davis concluded that Alzheimer’s patients suffer less stress and have fewer anxious outbursts if there is a dog or cat in the home.
• Pets can provide a source of positive, nonverbal communication. The playful interaction and gentle touch from a well-trained, docile animal can help soothe an Alzheimer’s patient and decrease aggressive behavior—as can simply being exposed to bright aquariums or fish tanks.
• In many cases a patient’s problem behavior is a reaction to the stressed response of the primary caretaker. Pets can help ease the stress of caregivers. Cats or caged animals may be more suitable than dogs, which generally require more care and can add to the burden of someone who’s already looking after an Alzheimer’s patient.

The benefits of pets for children

Not only do children who grow up with pets have less risk of allergies and asthma, many also learn responsibility, compassion, and empathy from having a dog or cat.

• Unlike parents or teachers, pets are never critical and don’t give orders. They are always loving and their mere presence at home can help provide a sense of security in children. Having an ever-present pet can help ease separation anxiety in children when mom and dad aren’t around.
• Having the love and companionship of a pet can make a child feel important and help them develop a positive self-image.
• Kids who are emotionally attached to their pets are better able to build relationships with other people.
• Studies have also shown that pets can help calm hyperactive or overly aggressive kids. Of course, both the animal and the child need to be trained to behave appropriately with each other.
• A pet can help develop a young and expanding mind by teaching a child empathy and understanding. Kids can talk with their pet without a fear of rejection, which enables them to build their confidence, and even their vocabulary.
• Getting even a small, caged pet, such as a guinea pig or hamster, is a great way to teach a child responsibility.

Like adults, children can benefit from playing with a pet. It can be a source of calmness and relaxation, as well as a source of stimulation for the brain and body. Playing with a pet can even be a doorway to learning for a child. It can stimulate a child’s imagination and curiosity. The rewards of training a dog to perform a new trick, for example, can teach kids the importance of perseverance. Caring for a furry friend can also offer another benefit to a child: immense joy.

Children with learning disorders and other challenges

Some children with autism or other learning difficulties are better able to interact with pets than people. Autistic children often rely on nonverbal cues to communicate, just as animals do. And learning to first connect with a pet may even help an autistic child in their interactions with people.

• Pets can help children with learning disabilities learn how to regulate stress and calm themselves, making them better equipped to overcome the challenges of their disorder.
• Playing and exercising with a dog or cat can help a child with learning disorders stay alert and attentive throughout the day. It can also be a great antidote to stress and frustration caused by the learning disability.
• Learning to ride a horse at a local riding stable can help elevate the self-esteem of disabled children, putting them on a more equal level with kids without disabilities.

Owning a pet is a major commitment

Despite all the benefits, it’s important to remember that a pet is not a miracle cure for mental health issues. Owning a pet is beneficial and comforting only for those who love and appreciate domestic animals and have the time and money to keep a pet happy and healthy. If you’re simply not an “animal person,” pet ownership is not going to provide you with any health benefits or improve your life.

Even if you love animals, it’s important to understand everything that caring for a pet entails. Owning a pet is a major commitment that will last through the animal’s lifetime, perhaps 10 or 15 years in the case of dogs. And at the end of that commitment, you’ll face the grief and mourning that comes with losing a beloved companion.

Alternatives to pet ownership

If you don’t have the time, money, or ability to own a pet full-time, there are still ways you can experience the health benefits of being around animals. Even short periods spent with a dog or cat can benefit both you and the animal.

You can ask to walk a neighbor’s dog, for example, or volunteer at an animal shelter. Most animal shelters or rescue groups welcome volunteers to help care for homeless pets or assist at adoption events. You’ll not only be helping yourself, but also helping to socialize and exercise the animals, making them more adoptable.

Some animal shelters and rescue groups offer pet “rental” programs. Dogs and cats that are available for adoption can be taken out for walks or play dates. You can also foster an animal temporarily until a permanent home is found for him, or to decide if the animal is right for you.

A variety of different organizations offer specially trained therapy dogs and cats to visit children’s hospitals, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, hospice programs, shelters, and schools. During these visits, people are invited to pet and stroke the animals, which can improve mood and reduce stress and anxiety.

Many animals have a calming effect on human beings, hence one of the reasons keeping pets is so appealing and widespread. Domestic animals, in particular dogs, are viewed as non-judgemental with an accepting nature, and as such are popular animals used for therapy sessions.

Thus far, pet therapy has been linked to the following medically associated instances or conditions:

• Mental health conditions / associated symptoms:Dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, or stress.
• Developmental disorders:Autism (autism spectrum disorder), ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and other sensory disabilities. Individuals sometimes find it more comfortable communicating or engaging with an animal. Animals simply don’t know what a person may be dealing with, so there is no perceived judgement when interacting with an animal as opposed to a person.
• Medical treatment procedures and therapies:Chemotherapy, occupational or physical therapy (such as for stroke or Parkinson’s disease recovery, and others requiring rehabilitative work) – many receiving treatment find themselves feeling more motivated to participate in therapy sessions when engaging with a therapy animal.
• Long-term care or outpatient treatment facilities:Nursing homes, hospitals (chronic illnesses such as cancer or heart disease), psychiatric facilities, dental rooms (specifically for children) and private practice consulting rooms.

Other things pet therapy can be useful for include:

• Fatigue
• Chronic pain relief
• Addiction treatment
• Various emotional and behavioural problems or disorders

Sometimes pet therapy may be useful for the treatment of trauma, and especially for children or individuals with special needs who find it difficult engaging with other people. For instance, a child may be exposed to the effects of abuse – either witnessed or experienced first-hand. A therapist may consider introducing pet therapy as a way to help make the treatment process appear less scary or even threatening for a child to participate in.

A child may feel more comfortable liaising with a dog and ‘confiding’ their story to the animal instead of an adult they may feel less trusting of or emotionally connected to. An animal is often perceived as ‘less threatening’ in this instance and thus makes a child feel less vulnerable and more comfortable to say certain things, which may be critical for treatment. A therapy animal thus becomes an effective bridge in treatment, quietly allowing conventional methods to continue, but serving a positive purpose.

A sense of purpose, well-being and calm are believed to be some of the most beneficial effects of pet therapy sessions. This is because interacting with animals has been shown to release endorphins (chemicals in the brain), as well as stimulate healthy doses of dopamine and oxytocin (healthy, social inducing hormones).

Endorphins are a group of hormones (peptides) that serve a number of physiological functions. When released (or secreted) in the brain and nervous system, the body’s opiate receptors are activated and this results in a soothing effect (i.e. a pain-reducing or analgesic effect). The soothing effect contributes to a sense of pleasure which eases negative symptoms associated with any physical or mental challenge.

For this reason, pet therapy has gained popularity in the medical field, with a growing number of supporters vouching for the therapeutic contributing effects in treatment plans.

When a person decides that they’d like to incorporate pet therapy into their specific treatment plan, a selection process for a suitable animal can get under way. It is best to start with a treating doctor or therapist as they will need to be involved in safely incorporating the practice into a treatment plan.

From there a trained handler / volunteer (most commonly an animal’s actual owner) and an animal will be worked into a schedule for regular sessions. These sessions will be guided by a treating doctor or therapist in such a way that best meets treatment or recovery goals. The pet handler will ensure that everyone involved in these sessions is of sound understanding when it comes to the proper handling of the animal, ensuring safety for both a recipient and the therapy animal.

For an animal to become a therapy pet, set requirements will need to be met. These requirements often involve:

• Giving the animal afull physical examination at the vet and ensuring that he or she is properly vaccinated or immunised. An animal must be healthy and free of diseases or illnesses in order to be fit to work as a therapy pet.
• Attend and pass anobedience training course along with the dedicated handler. An evaluation of an animal’s overall behaviour and temperament (response to a handler and others) will also need to be approved.
• A handler will be required to attend and pass aninstructional course which teaches positive interaction between the therapy animal and other people.
• Receive acredible certification from a sponsoring organisation.

A therapy animal will need to be able to master basic obedience skills and through training courses, will be tested on their reactions to specific interactive things. This can include being petted by more than one individual simultaneously, being hugged or walking through a crowd of people. Can a therapy animal still respond to their handler when promoted even with an array of distractions? The sounds and smells of therapy or hospital environments are also important for a therapy animal to be familiar with, and comfortable with too.

For a therapy animal to have the desired effect on humans, it must not only be tolerant of interactions, but also enjoy the company of people and the manner in which they are engaged. If an animal has an aptitude for therapy work and enjoys affection, chances are high that the desired beneficial effect of involving them in the first place will likely be achieved.

A handler must also be well aware of maintaining safety and levels of comfort for the animal, to do this they must know their animal very well, and what triggers behavioural or instinctive changes. A handler will need to be alert to things that will likely stress an animal out or spark a behavioural change.

When all requirements have been met, approval for pet therapy may be given. Animals are then assigned according to set needs of individuals who may best benefit from sessions of interaction with them. Type, age, size, breed and inherent nature and instinctive behaviours are usually taken into consideration when determining ‘a match’ for a specific purpose or treatment plan.

A meet-and-greet session may be arranged to introduce both a recipient and the therapy animal. This session is not likely to be an official therapy or treatment session, and as such will take place as an informal meeting. Once a therapy animal and recipient are happy with one another, sessions become structured and more formalised. Treating doctors and therapists may introduce set goals for each session that all involved will be made aware of.

Group sessions can also be arranged as part of a treatment plan. A support group may wish to incorporate a therapy animal into their regular sessions. In this instance, an animal may attend a meeting and be allowed to roam free among the attending group. Many groups find that the calming presence of an animal has a positive effect on attendees, soothing the atmosphere and relaxing all participating. This calming effect can also be a very effective teaching tool, which therapists can harness. When it is noted that interacting with a therapy animal calms anxiety, a therapist can hone in on that sensation, making treatment attendees more aware of it and encouraging them to tap into that feeling when a need arises in other environments and settings where the pet may not be present.

Studies on the therapeutic effects of pets

Pet therapy as a beneficial treatment tool is not a new concept. The idea has been around for more than 150 years and often used to provide a level of social support for the mentally ill. The human-animal bond has existed for far longer. When it comes to medical purposes, however, it was only during the late 1970s that scientific underpinnings were more seriously put to the test to assess this bond.

There have been numerous studies over the years, and these continue today. Research has not halted the business of pet therapy, which continues to involve working animals in the healing process (where treating doctors and therapists allow).

How pets influence physical health

Research has looked at the physical health benefits of a variety of challenged individuals, ranging from the chronically ill, to the elderly (generally healthy but living in a home or those with dementia and Alzheimer’s). Many studies have focussed on the potential physiological benefits of alleviating stress and anxiety. Just the mere presence of a dog (daily), kept like a pet for a set period of time (e.g. 6 months), allowed to visit a home on a weekly basis, or simply just present during times when performing a stressful task, appears to contribute to lowering blood pressure (or potentially prevent an increase), which in turn alleviates stress or anxiety. Study groups assessing pet owners have noted a lower resting systolic blood pressure (reducing risk for hypertension), and a reduced systolic mean arteriolar and pulse pressure.

The general consensuses from much of the studies done show what most pet owners will all agree to – the presence of a pet (animal) has a pleasing or relieving physiological effect when it comes to stress, which in turn has beneficial physical results. Having a dog also means owners are likely to be more active themselves (although other studies have found that this is not necessarily a given), which adds to health benefits in a physical sense.

Studies have also looked at the potential beneficial effects in those with cardiovascular disease, and whether walking with a dog could improve their exercise capacity with just a 10 to 15-minute stroll several times a week, or even prolong life projections.

Other studies have assessed groupings of individuals with congestive heart failure and whether dog visitations of 12 minutes at a time had any effect on their systolic pulmonary artery or capillary wedge pressures, and serum epinephrine concentration levels. The research compared findings with those of historical samples from previous patients with the condition. Those who were able to walk with a dog and handler could manage to do so twice as far as those from the historical samples.

The trouble with scientific research on pet therapy or simply the involvement of animals for any function relating to interactions with medically challenged individuals, is that no sooner has one study found positive benefits than another achieves results to the contrary. Research group samples have ranged from very small to moderately small. Perhaps large-scale research with very specific criteria could settle the divide.

The effect of pets on emotional and mental health

When it comes to research into areas of cognitive disorders and conditions, numerous animal-human bond studies have also been conducted. As is the case with physical findings, research has noted small, but statistically convincing behavioural symptom improvements in an array of animal-assisted interventions.

Many studies have focussed on potential psychological benefits in the elderly and used a variety of animal species, such as dogs, cats, birds and fish (through the installation of fish tanks). Studies have been as basic as caring for a canary versus a plant for a period of three months, to what effect an animal (with a primary purpose to merely socialise) has on a demented elderly individual.

The research looks at social behavioural changes versus how much of an effect on cognition (and mood) an interaction can actually have. Can pet therapy help to alleviate problematic behaviours in individuals with dementia through supervised interactions involving petting, grooming, feeding or play? Some studies have been able to assess improvements with fewer signs of agitation and enhanced social behaviour. Many of the participants were more verbally interactive during an animal-assisted intervention (i.e. the visitation of a dog).

One study exposed 13 nursing home residents with dementia to a mechanical toy dog as part of their research to assess any differences in interactions. Whether a robotic dog which could sit up, wag its tail or respond to a variety of commands, or an actual animal was used, this study found similar responses in the residents – many talking a little more or clapping their hands when the ‘animal’ moved.

Much of the positive feedback regarding mental health benefits stem from more personal, qualitative observations from medical personnel who have been exposed to human-animal interactions (such as nurses). Most agree based on their observations, that pet therapy interventions alleviate boredom or loneliness, and improve social interaction – increasing patient interactivity with an animal and other fellow patients too.

Formal clinical trials using animal interaction with patients suffering from dementia haven’t been able to suggest a clear mechanism for how pet therapy alters vegetative, psychotic or hyperactive behaviours. Findings simply leave a door open for further speculation – is pet therapy, in this sense, merely a created distraction for disruptive behaviour associated with an illness such as dementia? And can it serve as a basis for learning to practice better social behaviours?

Research into the effects using depressed patients and those with schizophrenia, has also had mixed findings. Some studies have noted little effect or change in overall depressive state, but did find a small, but reduced blood pressure reading. Others have found reduced levels of tension and fatigue and even confusion in patients exposed to pet therapy interventions. This has been noted, not only in depressed patients, but also those undergoing treatment for cancer. Simply having a dog in a therapy session resulted in patients rating their levels of anxiety as less severe. Schizophrenic patients (but notably not older patients) have been seen to score better in areas of social contact, meaning that their social skills, ability to communicate and overall cognitive ability did show improvement. This has prompted research teams to conclude that a modest benefit is possible to achieve in patients displaying depressive symptoms. But there is a downside – many with acute psychiatric conditions did appear to become troubled by actions of caring for an animal, with some even grieving their departure from a session (as a person would over the loss of a pet).

It should also be noted that although much research has been done, plenty of the result findings have never been published in a scientific journal. A lot of data has instead been pooled together and published in doctoral dissertations, all noting a ‘medium effect size’.

No matter the contradictions in research findings, there’s little dispute that there is a beneficial human-animal bond, to some degree. Hence, the reason for domesticated animals in the home. An animal interacts with people a little differently than do many human beings. Many animals are non-threatening and their level of affection is remarkably accepting. This enhances a bond and promotes a beneficial relationship. This bond is capable of promoting improved physical and emotional (mental) states through interaction.

Beneficial effects, which have been studied and produced positive findings, irrespective of other research teams assessing the subject according to different criteria, include:

• Improved overall heart (cardiovascular) health (and reduced risk of stroke)
• Improved blood pressure levels
• Improved assisted movement of ill individuals, as well as independent movement (i.e. walking)
• Improved joint movement, balance and overall fine motor skills
• Enhanced motivation to be more mobile or active
• Endorphin secretion (for an improved psychological state) and the hormone, oxytocin (promoting happy feelings)
• Enhanced self-esteem
• Improved social skills, activity participation (a renewed willingness to join in) and verbal communication (including better interaction with others)
• Improved ability to focus (attentiveness)

Pet therapy is most often aimed at achieving the following:

• Reducing depressive symptoms (including anxiety or even grief) and promoting joy (happiness)
• Helping to improve a person’s overall outlook on life (promoting a sense of purpose and quality of life)
• Alleviating feelings of loneliness and isolation, or boredom through companionship
• Promoting healthier levels of self-control
• Aiding in the teaching of nurturing and empathetic skills, especially in children
• Helping to improve the quality of relationships and building of trust (e.g. helping a child to become less fearful or distrusting of their adult healthcare provider or therapist)
• Helping to promote teamwork
• Aiding in the improvement of problem-solving skills
• Improving the treatment relationship between a patient and their healthcare professional, particularly those who are resistant to emotional expression during therapy (psychotherapy / ‘talk therapy’)
• Helping to reduce problematic behaviours
• Working to enhance the effect of conventional medical therapies
• Providing comfort and enjoyment for interaction recipients (and an animal) which is fulfilling
• Aiding in providing a temporary, but positive distraction from more negative challenges

Before any animal-assisted therapy session is agreed upon, certain factors are always taken into consideration. These can include:

• Safety– for the animal and all people involved (injuries, such as a fall or bites and scratches, can happen if handled inappropriately or an inappropriate animal for the therapy environment is chosen)
• Sanitation andhygiene
• Possibleallergies to certain animals, such as pet dander
• The possibility of patientpossessive behaviours (i.e. a reluctance to part with an animal at the end of a session)
• The possibility ofattachment problems and grief reactions
• The possibility that recipientswill not bond with an animal at all – sometimes due to a lack of a frame of reference or level of curiosity

Since pet therapy is not necessarily whole-heartedly backed by science, there is a gap in the use of set standards for how animal-assisted intervention is conducted. Currently pet therapy sessions are conducted according to treatment and handling mechanics of those professionals involved, much of which is based on personal experience.

Pet therapy owners must also maintain open communication with treating healthcare professionals and gain a full understanding of certain behavioural possibilities in patients, especially those in institutions who may be inclined to harm an animal (intentionally or unintentionally). There have been reports of therapy recipients placing cats in a toilet or rubbish bin (garbage bin), and others do not appear too concerned about potentially harming an animal (i.e. running over an animals’ tail with a wheelchair). If possible harmful behaviours can be anticipated, they can be better avoided within a supervised session.

Compiled  & Shared by- Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)

Image-Courtesy-Google

Reference-On Request.