Animals are a real asset to us, humans, in many ways. Trained dogs are helpful, for example, in assisting the blind, in drug searches, or in tracking down people in avalanches.
Animals are also real helpers in therapy, as they have been proven to provide a greater sense of well-being. Interesting information about animal-assisted therapy, for whom it is suitable, and which forms there are, you can find out here.
How Can Animals Help In Therapy?
The positive effect of animals on therapy patients first appeared in public discourse in the middle of the last century. The American child psychologist Boris M. Levinson accidentally made the discovery during a therapy session that the child was more responsive and willing to open up in the presence of his dog.
Thereupon, therapy with animals was explored especially in the USA, Canada, and Great Britain, before research in the field also began in German-speaking countries. The term “animal-assisted therapy” is the translation for the English term pet-facilitated therapy.
The animal-assisted therapy functions, as the name already suggests, only supporting other therapy forms, e.g. behavior therapy. This means that the animal is present as a “co-therapist” next to the trained psychotherapist and contributes to higher therapy success.
Research And Costs Of Animals In Therapy
In Germany, research on animal-assisted therapy started later than in Anglo-American countries. Since science – at least in Germany – is not yet as far advanced in the field as educators and therapists demand or would like to implement, the costs are often not yet covered by health insurance.
Clients usually have to pay for the costs of animal-assisted therapy themselves; in special cases, the health insurance company covers the costs. There are however also already more favorable prices, straight with group therapies. The positive effects of therapy with animals are presented below.
Effect Of Animals
Animals have a calming effect on us and offer a distraction from everyday stress and negative emotions such as anger or sadness. Therapy with animals appeals to all the senses, which is why the client can fully relax. It is important that the client gets involved with the animal and is open to the encounter. In this way, fears and stress can also be reduced.
In addition, motor skills and sensitivity are trained as the client responds to the animal, for example, stroking or grooming it. The animal can also serve as motivation to move and train coordination skills.
Animal-assisted therapy requires a different or new form of communication. Clients pay attention to the animal’s needs, which strengthens both attention and empathy skills. This experience is especially helpful for children, but Alzheimer’s patients can also experience a sense of responsibility and joy in life.
Possible Applications In Therapy
Therapy with animals is suitable for people of all ages who have cognitive, motor, or social-emotional limitations. For people with depression, animals have a healing effect, as they provide distraction, warmth, and affection.
Children who have behavioral problems, disabilities, or motor skill limitations may benefit from animal-assisted therapy. People with chronic pain or patients who have had a stroke also benefit from animal-assisted therapy.
In addition, therapy with animals helps dementia patients. Here, therapy usually takes the form of a visit, meaning that animals, such as dogs or cats, come to care facilities with trained therapists or caregivers and provide patients with distraction as well as a sense of security.
In some schools, there are already so-called school dogs, which strengthen the cohesion of the class community as well as the sense of responsibility and empathy of the pupils. During breaks, the children can play with the dogs, take over tasks or simply relax. Petting the animal reduces stress levels, which is especially helpful for school children.
Forms Of Therapy Animals
Therapy with animals comes in a group or individual forms. Depending on individual needs, one can decide which form is suitable and how often the therapy sessions should be used. A wide variety of animals are used.
Dog Therapy
Dogs have been proven to increase people’s sense of well-being. For example, a dog in the office contributes to a better working atmosphere in the company. Dogs are also used in animal-assisted therapy. Therapy dogs differ from assistance or visiting dogs.
Dogs sense the client’s feelings and mood and help the client to relax and open up. The dog provides comfort and warmth, and its presence alone eases the mood. When the client pets the dog, the cuddle hormone oxytocin is released, which helps to cope with anxiety and relieves tension.
Dogs are also used in occupational therapy, where, for example, creative work is done, and the client’s own habits or limits are tested or expanded. Dogs are very helpful here since they cause a lowering of the cortisol level with the client by their affection.
It is important that the dog is patient and calm. However, dogs engaged in therapy are always professionally trained. Especially suitable for therapy are Labradors, Bernese Mountain Dogs, but also mixed breeds and Golden Retrievers.
Dolphin Therapy
Dolphins are mostly used in therapy with children and young people with disabilities. Dolphins have incredibly high social skills as well as intelligence and are therefore often used for various forms of therapy.
Although dolphins have a very calming effect on the patient, one should check the attitude of the animals beforehand. It is therefore worthwhile to thoroughly inform oneself about the provider before taking advantage of dolphin therapy.
Therapeutic Riding
Therapeutic riding includes remedial vaulting, hippotherapy, and equine therapy. Therapeutic vaulting usually takes place in a group setting. Here, the balance, coordination skills, and motor skills of the participants are trained. Hippotherapy is physiotherapy supported by horses.
Equestrian therapy is mainly aimed at people with psychosomatic diseases or mental disabilities. It is performed, like the other forms, with specially trained horses. During riding therapy, fears and aggressions can be reduced, furthermore, the ability to concentrate improves and the client strengthens his self-confidence or self-assurance. The contact with the horse trains empathy as well as social competence.
Conclusion
Since animals can intuitively sense the client’s feelings and mood, they are a great help to us in therapy. They provide warmth and security through their presence alone. Animal-assisted therapy is primarily aimed at people with limitations or disabilities and helps them to relax and open up. With the different forms that exist, it can be decided individually which form is best suited.
