Table of Contents
- Understanding animal therapy
- Theories behind animal therapy
- Common animals used in animal therapy
- Mental health conditions treated by animal therapy
Understanding animal therapy
Animal therapy, also known as animal-assisted therapy (AAT), refers to a type of therapy that promotes mental and physical well-being through interactions with animals. In particular, this form of therapy focuses on the use of a wide range of animals to assist patients in their recovery.
Many people are familiar with the term pet therapy, and it is reasonable to assume that the two are the same. However, these two terms are slightly different. Pet therapy, which is also known as animal-assisted activities (AAA), is typically focused on providing companionship or entertainment for individuals who may be struggling with socialization, cognitive, or emotional deficits. On the other hand, animal-assisted therapy is a form of clinical intervention, where a trained therapist uses an animal to help a patient deal with targeted issues or diagnoses.
Animal therapy has been used effectively in mental healthcare for many decades, providing an array of benefits to patients with various mental health conditions. It is estimated that there are over 50,000 AAT professionals and over 13,000 therapy animals in the United States, these numbers continue to grow in different parts of the world.
Many animals have been used in animal therapy, but the most popular ones are dogs and cats. Dogs, in particular, are known for their loyalty and ability to form strong bonds with humans. They are especially well-suited for animal therapy due to their social and perceptive nature. Cats are also used in animal therapy, although they are not as preferred as dogs, cats tend to have a soothing effect on patients due to their calm demeanor.
Other types of therapy animals include farm animals like horses, alpacas, and goats. These animals have been shown to have a calming effect on individuals with developmental disorders like autism.
Aquatic therapy is a newer form of animal therapy that involves interacting with marine animals such as dolphins and sea lions. This form of animal therapy has been shown to help individuals who are struggling with depression or anxiety.
Theories behind animal therapy
The use of animals in mental healthcare may seem unconventional to some, but there are actual theories behind why animal therapy works. One of the main theories is the biophilia hypothesis, which suggests that humans have an innate desire to connect with other living beings, especially nature. This can be traced back to our evolutionary history, where humans relied on animals for hunting, protection, and even companionship.
Another theory is the social support theory, which proposes that social support is essential for maintaining good mental health. Animals, particularly dogs, have been shown to provide an unconditional and non-judgmental form of social support. When individuals are struggling with mental health issues, their support system is often limited or non-existent. Animal therapy can provide a healthy source of social support, which can be highly beneficial.
Animal therapy can also be seen as an extension of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a type of talk therapy that focuses on changing negative patterns of thinking to alleviate symptoms of mental illness. Through interacting with animals, patients can learn and practice new skills in a safe and controlled environment. For instance, if a patient has anxiety related to social interactions, their therapist may use AAT to provide exposure therapy. The patient can practice socializing with a therapy animal, learn relaxation techniques, and gradually work their way up to interacting with humans.
In terms of scientific evidence, several studies have provided support for animal therapy. For example, studies have shown that interaction with therapy dogs can improve symptoms of depression and anxiety in patients with various diagnoses, including PTSD and schizophrenia. Some researchers have suggested that this improvement may be due to the release of oxytocin, a hormone that is linked to social bonding and stress reduction.
Despite the positive evidence and support for animal therapy, there are also criticisms of the approach. Some critics argue that AAT is not standardized and that each animal is unique, making it difficult to measure or study. Additionally, some concerns have been raised about the potential for patients to develop allergies, aggression towards animals, or other negative effects.
Common animals used in animal therapy
While many animals can provide therapeutic benefits, some species are more commonly used in animal therapy programs than others. Here are some examples of animals that are frequently used in animal therapy:
1. Dogs – Dogs are the most common therapy animals used in animal therapy. They are highly intelligent, social, and have a calm demeanor, making them perfect for interacting with individuals who have anxiety, depression, or autism. Therapy dogs can also be trained to perform specific tasks, such as alerting individuals with epilepsy of impending seizures or guiding people with visual impairments.
2. Cats – Although less common than dogs, cats are still used in animal therapy, particularly in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Cats are calming animals and have a purring sensation that can help individuals relax. Furthermore, cats are easier to handle than dogs, which makes them ideal for individuals who want the therapeutic benefits of animal therapy but are afraid of dogs.
3. Horses – Equine therapy involves using horses to help individuals with various mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety. Working with horses can be helpful for individuals who have struggled to form relationships with other humans and animals. Horses provide unconditional support, and their size makes them ideal for certain types of therapy, such as hippotherapy, an approach that helps individuals with physical disabilities by incorporating horseback riding.
4. Birds – Birds are less common in animal therapy, but they can still provide therapeutic benefits. For example, parrots can be trained to provide social interaction and comfort. Their vivid colors and playful personalities also help individuals with depression and anxiety.
5. Farm Animals – Farm animals like pigs, goats, and alpacas are being increasingly used in animal therapy. These animals provide opportunities for patients to learn new skills and form social connections. For example, individuals with social anxiety or communication disorders can learn to communicate and socialize with goats or pigs.
6. Marine animals – As mentioned earlier, marine animal therapy involves interacting with animals like dolphins and sea lions. These animals have been shown to promote relaxation and well-being in individuals with anxiety and depression.
In conclusion, different animals have varying traits that make them ideal for animal therapy for different individuals. AAT professionals choose the type of animal based on the therapy goals designed for individual patients. therapists can assess the patient’s history, diagnoses, and goals before deciding whether animal therapy is suitable and which type to use.
Animal therapy techniques and programs
Animal-assisted therapy can be provided in various ways, depending on the needs of the patients and the goals of the therapy. Here are some examples of different animal therapy techniques and programs:
1. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) – AAT involves the use of animals in a controlled, clinical setting to address a specific goal or diagnosis. A mental health professional conducts one-on-one or group sessions with patients and an animal to address therapeutic goals.
2. Service animals – Service animals are trained to perform specific tasks for individuals with physical or mental disabilities. For example, a trained service dog may assist an individual with anxiety by alerting them to triggers, interrupting panic attacks, or guiding them through stressful situations.
3. Animal-assisted activities (AAA) – AAA programs focus on the social and emotional benefits of animal interaction, rather than strictly therapeutic ones. Some examples of AAA programs include pet visitation programs in nursing homes, animal therapy sessions in schools and libraries, and animal interactions in hospitals.
4. Equine therapy – Equine therapy uses horses to aid in mental and emotional growth, allowing individuals to practice skills that they can transfer to other areas of their lives. Equine therapy may include horseback riding, grooming, or simply building relationships with the horses.
5. Farm animal therapy – Programs involving farm animals offer opportunities for individuals to interact with animals in their natural environments and learn about farming, agriculture, or farm-to-table practices. These interactions can boost confidence, self-esteem, and provide opportunities to develop new skills.
6. Aquatic animal therapy – As previously mentioned, aquatic animal therapy may include sessions with dolphins, sea lions, or other marine animals. These sessions can promote muscle relaxation, sensory regulation, and socialization opportunities.
In addition to the different types of animal therapy programs, various techniques can be used to incorporate animals into traditional therapy sessions. A mental health professional may use techniques like animal-assisted psychotherapy (AAP), which involves working with an animal in an interactive setting, combined with traditional talk therapy. This approach can be helpful in addressing social anxiety, depression, trauma, anger management, and various mental illnesses. Another technique is sensory integration therapy, which may involve tactile activities with an animal such as brushing or petting.
Mental health conditions treated by animal therapy
One of the most significant benefits of animal therapy is its effectiveness in treating a range of mental health conditions. Here are some of the mental health conditions that have been shown to respond positively to animal therapy:
1. Anxiety disorders – Animal therapy can be useful for individuals with anxiety disorders such as panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and social anxiety disorder. Animal-assisted relaxation techniques can help individuals feel more relaxed and calm.
2. Depression – Petting animals releases an endorphin hormone that helps to reduce depressive symptoms. Additionally, the companionship and non-judgmental support provided by therapy animals can boost an individual’s mood and promote feelings of supportiveness.
3. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) – Individuals with autism may have difficulties with communication or social interaction. Animal therapy can help individuals with ASD to practice social interactions with animals, which can be more comfortable than with other humans.
4. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – Animal therapy has been effective in treating symptoms of PTSD in veterans, first responders, and individuals who have experienced trauma. The therapy animals provide emotional support and comfort to the individuals seeking treatment and also help to lower their stress levels.
5. Substance abuse – Substance abuse treatment programs may use animal therapy as a supplementary treatment with cognitive-behavioral therapy and other forms of therapy to help patients recovering from substance abuse disorders to manage their emotions and feelings of cravings.
6. Alzheimer’s disease and dementia – Animal therapy may also be used to reduce agitation and increase social interaction among patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, and provide opportunities for reminiscing and sharing previous pet ownership experiences.
Animal therapy can be particularly beneficial in addressing mental health conditions that do not respond well to traditional therapies alone. The use of animals in therapy allows for non-verbal communication and can help to create a sense of safety and comfort, which can be especially helpful for individuals who have experienced trauma.
The future of animal therapy
1. More research – There is a growing body of research examining the benefits of animal therapy. Still, there is a need for more rigorous studies to assess the effectiveness of specific interventions, the types of animals that work best for different mental health conditions, and for the development of standard protocols for animal therapy in mental healthcare practice.
2. Technology and animal therapy – Mobile apps, virtual reality headsets, and other emerging technologies can simulate animal interaction and provide a virtual experience of animal therapy that can be particularly beneficial to individuals who cannot interact with animals physically.
3. Continuing education – Training and education programs for mental health professionals will need to adapt and expand as the use of animal therapy in mental healthcare continues to evolve. As the field grows, the development of competency standards for AAT professionals and new types of training for handling different types of animals will be required.
4. Certification – There is a need for regulation and certification of professionals and animals involved in animal therapy to ensure that ethical and safe practices are being followed.
5. Creative expansion opportunities – The use of animal therapy is expanding beyond mental health conditions and into new areas such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. There is also a demand for animal therapy in certain populations, such as children, the elderly, and disabled individuals.
In conclusion, animal therapy is a rapidly growing field that has great potential in the field of mental health. As continued studies support its effectiveness in addressing mental health conditions, the use of animals in therapy looks promising. As new technologies emerge and the field grows, it is important to maintain standard practices to ensure ethical and effective treatment in animal therapy programs.