Pet therapy (also known as animal-assisted therapy) is a complementary type of therapy that involves the use of animals to facilitate patient recovery.

Science has long supported the idea of human and animal interaction as a form of healing and this has translated well into the medical field.

Dogs and cats are the primary animals used for pet therapy, but dolphins, horses, and other animals that pass the criteria can be considered as well.

Pet therapy is structured in a way that defines how the animal can benefit the patient in a therapeutic setting. The objective of the therapy may be physiological, psychological, or emotional in nature.

Benefits

Pet therapy brings plenty of benefits for patients of all ages and genders. It builds upon the already established bond between humans and animals and uses that connection to accelerate recovery.

For one, pet therapy helps reduce blood pressure for patients with hypertension. It also boosts cardiovascular health and release endorphins in the brain that provides a calming effect.

This can help relieve stress, pain, and improve a patient’s overall state of mind.

Most of all, pet therapy provides patients with a sense of unconditional love, safety, and acceptance that puts patients at ease during treatment.

Because of this, withdrawn or non-communicable patients may start to open up about their recovery and make the most out of pet therapy.

Goals

Depending on the goal of the treatment, pet therapy can be incorporated in a variety of ways. Defining objectives are an integral part of pet therapy and the progress is tracked after each session.

Pet therapy can prove useful for aged-care residents, veterans with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), patients undergoing chemotherapy, and more.

Even stroke victims can benefit greatly from pet therapy by helping them regain their motor skills through increased physical activities.

People with sensory disabilities (deaf, blind, and mute) can communicate more easily through an animal, thus encouraging interaction with their healthcare providers.

Some patients experience less anxiety during a medical procedure if they have a pet companion by their side.

In rehabilitation, patients may feel even more motivated to stick to their therapy when accompanied by a pet.

Administering pet therapy

Before pet therapy is administered, the patient’s healthcare provider will determine if they are a good candidate for the treatment.

Doctors will ask patients if they have existing pet allergies and will evaluate their medical history in the process.

They’ll also ask the consent of the patient’s family members if they feel comfortable with their loved one undergoing therapy.

Once everything is set and the patient agrees to undergo pet therapy, the doctors will start administering the treatment.

The first step is selecting a suitable animal for the patient. Both animal and trainer must complete a number of procedures before participating in pet therapy.

Once successfully completing the tasks, trainer and animal will be assigned for therapy based on the patient’s needs.

Risks

While pet therapy provides a plethora of advantages, there are a couple of risks worth noting. The first and foremost is the safety of the patients.

Patients who are allergic to pet dander may experience allergic reactions such as runny nose, watery eyes, postnasal drip, and facial pressure.

The patient can also suffer from an injury if the trainer and animal do not have enough experience.

This is what makes training and evaluation very important before pet therapy is administered to ensure a beneficial experience for the patient. The animals themselves may also be at risk of injury if not handled appropriately.

Although rare, patients may become possessive of the animals after developing a dependence, causing them to lose self-confidence and feel isolated after their pet therapy has concluded.

Dennis Relojo-Howell is the world’s first blog psychologist and founder of Psychreg. As an international mental health advocate, he speaks at various conferences around the world and believes that everyone experiencing a mental health problem deserves both support and respect.