Pet Therapy
Animal-assisted therapy (AAT), also known as family-animal assisted therapy, pet therapy or simply animal therapy is a form of therapy given as a complementary treatment to more conventional treatments. It involves the use of animals to improve a patient's social, emotional, or cognitive functioning. Healthcare professionals recommend it to patients suffering from any psychological or physiological illness usually with the intention to meet some specific aim. For instance, it can help make the patient talk about their traumatic experiences by assuaging their pain or help them get over some psychosomatic conditions. Being around animals has a therapeutic effect on most people and this is why it is a great way for many patients to effectively manage their illnesses. For this reason, animals have been used in therapy since the 17th century.
The purpose of family-animal assisted therapy
The primary objective of AAT is to get the patients to develop a connection with the animals. Many animals, ranging from small to large are used in this type of therapy. Based on a patient's history and diagnosis, they might be given therapy in the presence of a dog, cat, hamster, guinea pig or horse. Dogs are a popular choice in providing assistance to patients as they are emotionally intelligent creatures that have proven successful in being responsive towards the pain experienced by human beings.
Advantages of using family-animal assisted therapy
Playing, conversing, caressing and bonding with the pet animal can have a number of positive effects on a person's emotional and mental wellbeing and help them in coping with their afflictions.
Using AAT for the first time
If you've been recommended animal therapy, you will need to undergo a few sessions around the pet. This may involve a formal or informal setting. Your healthcare practitioner will decide if it is better for you to undergo primary therapy while playing with the pets or it is better to allocate a separate appointment for it. Caring for the animal could be your therapy-supportive plan or you might also find it productive to share your worries and concerns while interacting with it.
Who is it prescribed for
Pet therapy is suggested for a range of patients experiencing small bouts of apprehension or sadness to long-term patients who are schizophrenic, autistic and drug addicts. Even those suffering from cardiovascular disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, side effects of chemo and alcoholism can find this therapy soothing.
Who isn't suitable for it
Though family-animal assisted therapy rarely involves negative outcomes, it is not a good idea to opt for it under some circumstances. If the patient has some animal-related phobia, the healthcare practitioner would probably not recommend it as it might make them more disturbed and revisit troublesome memories. If being around animals triggers your allergies, then this therapy isn't for you either. Talk with your doctors to find out what animal is best-suited for you.
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