Pet Therapy
The Best of Them All!

Pet therapy is the best you can get! Pets love you no matter what, are always happy to see you, and they can even sense when you're sad and blue. I could never be without my dogs. It's amazing what those happy faces and wagging tails can do for you. Even the fish in our aquarium come to greet us. When I've lost a pet, those left behind are a greater comfort than anything else. I would love to hear your pet therapy stories and how they've helped you through a rough time or even if it's just a smile they put on your face!! I found these 2 article below about pet therapy and wanted to share them with you! Let me know what you think!

The Growing Use Of
Pets As Therapy

by Lisa Scott

The inclusion of pets into hospital and rehabilitation environments has long been considered very therapeutic, and pets continue to be an important part of life long after rehabilitation has ended.

In addition to filling lonely hours with companionship, pets can be trained, much like the more familiar Seeing Eye dogs, to perform tasks and assist persons with disabilities in many different ways.

The responsibility for pet care can enhance cognitive functioning in ways that are more subtle and enjoyable than traditional therapies. Fun activities often stimulate individuals with low motivation in ways that are not often achieved by sitting in front of a television set for hours on end.

Pets are very good companions and help people feel less lonely. They also respond with feedback which can negate inappropriate behaviours, and interest in a pet may redirect egocentricity that may arise from frontal lobe deficits.

Selecting a pet can be turned into a cognitive exercise of planning. The choice of a pet should be fun, not fraught with discord. It’s important to consider all options e.g. a sophisticated set up of aquariums with pumps and filters may be too complex for some.

Pets must be cared for, otherwise they fail to thrive. This may be a hard lesson, possibly from time to time even cruel for the animal, but individuals with brain injury must learn or relearn this important fact of life.

Naturally a responsible adult should intervene if the pet’s health or well-being is adversely affected. When limitations arising from the ABI are barriers to independently caring for a pet of choice, talk with the individual about strategies that will enable more independence and determine what duties will be managed by whom so responsibilities can be monitored. Almost everyone loves animals.

This often enhances social skills building for individuals when encountering others in the park, neighbourhoods and other places people congregate with pets. Have you ever been able to pass without noticing or striking up a conversation with someone sitting on a park bench with a colourful, exotic bird perched on his or her shoulder?

Pets are great conversation pieces. Individuals with severe brain injury and other impairing conditions often have little control over their lives. Owning a pet can provide an opportunity for controlling at least one facet of their lives - their pet!

Pets always have time for sharing with their owners and their loyalty is indisputable.Pet therapy is a well-established routine in many hospitals, nursing homes and rehabilitation centres.

Anecdotal accounts tell of the benefits of pets being in the presence of people in all stages of recovery, rehabilitation and even end-stage illnesses. The comforting and calming affect of stroking a furry animal often elicits more relaxing facial expressions and/or postures in persons even thought to be in minimally-responsive states.

Nonverbal individuals generally respond with contented smiles when pets are introduced into their environment. Almost all individuals with disabilities can take some responsibility for the care of an animal, even if it’s no more than a daily stroking or play session.

Dogs are frequently trained to assist individuals with brain injury, particularly those with mobility impairments. Custom-styled saddlebags can be placed on the dog and used for carrying personal items, wallet, daily journal and other items needed by those using wheelchairs and/or other assisting devices that increase mobility.

Pets are indeed wonderful companions and can frequently impact positively even on those for whom other therapies, exercises and/or future promise for continuing recovery hold little interest.

Pet therapy, exploring a growing trend.

Article Source: ArticleRich.com

Pet Therapy - Share a Story!

Pet Therapy For Depression

By Scott Michaels

Who could dispute that animals can have a positive effect on emotional well-being? With research being conducted into the field of alternative medicine on an on-going basis, more and more people are beginning to realize the cathartic effects that animals are having on individuals well-being, especially so in those patients suffering with depression.

While some people recover from depression using medications alone, there are many others, who would prefer to use a combination of alternative therapies to try to alleviate the symptoms of depression. One of these treatments being studied is ‘Pet Therapy’, but what is this alternative and how could it help?

Many scientists have spent endless hours looking into the different types of therapy available for treating depression as an illness; ‘Pet Therapy’ has been concluded as one of these therapies. Animals have long been recognized as being a positive force in the healing process.

Dogs notably have a calming and therapeutic effect on people. They can help individuals to cope with the emotional issues related to their illness. They also offer physical contact with another living creature and help to divert a person's attention from their pressing daily problems.

Owning a dog brings about a sense of responsibility. Dogs rely on their owners for feeding, walking, attention and love. What better excuse for a depressed person to get out of bed in the morning?

Dogs love almost everyone without any degree of prejudice or rejection. You do not need to speak any type of language to communicate with a four-legged friend. Give them a treat, tickle their tummy and they will love you without bounds.

Dogs are aware of illness and sadness and genuinely want to provide companionship and comfort; they show an abundance of intelligence and are both intuitive and compassionate. Any dog owner will relate and agree with me when I say that it is a warm feeling when their dog can detect their sorrow and lick their tears away.

Pet Therapy can facilitate many positive changes one such example being increased socialization skills. Animals can be used as part of group therapy programs to encourage communication and increase the ability to focus.

Helping to develop a person’s self-esteem and reducing their loneliness and anxiety are just some potential benefits of individual-animal therapy.

The bond between humans and animals is demonstrated every day in millions of homes around the world. It is also becoming a powerful, common mode of therapy in many facilities such as hospitals, schools and residential homes.

While it is difficult to measure and quantify the benefits of dog therapy with hard scientific fact, there is no question that the magical interaction possible between animal and human is unmistakable.

Tears can be dried. Scowls transform into smiles. Silence is broken and lastly but not least importantly loneliness and isolation can be ejected from a person through mere touch and cuddles.

Dogs offer their owner’s absolute and unconditional love and a level of boundless patience that no human could ever possibly give. The love of a dog is unlimited, what better form of alternative therapy could there be?

About the Author: While it is difficult to measure and quantify the benefits of dog therapy with hard scientific fact, there is no question that the magical interaction possible between animal and human is unmistakable.

Source: www.isnare.com