The science of animal therapy is becoming increasingly popular around the world. This is treatment with the help of animals. Its main directions are canisterapia (treatment with dogs), hippotherapy (with horses), dolphin therapy (dolphin assistance), feline therapy (treatment with cats). When interacting with animals, a person gets a charge of positive energy and emotions, which favorably affects his psyche, thoughts and actions. A person becomes happier and more joyful, as a result of which his physical condition improves.
Benefits of socializing with pets
- Reducing stress and anxiety
Interacting with animals raises levels of the hormone oxytocin, which in turn helps reduce levels of the stress-inducing hormone cortisol. That’s why nowadays, medical professionals even recommend getting a pet when stressful conditions arise.
Interaction with pets is especially beneficial for young children. Young children living in families with animals experience significantly less stress and anxiety, as well as social problems. This interaction negates the likelihood of developing mental, emotional and behavioral disorders as adults.
- Strengthening the cardiovascular system
According to cardiology studies, pet owners (mostly cats and dogs) are significantly less prone to blood pressure fluctuations and heart problems. In addition to soothing socializing and petting pets, regular outdoor walks with them make a huge difference.
- Increasing physical activity
It’s no secret that having a pet makes a person move more. This applies not only to walking and strolling, but also to bathing and cleaning up after the animals. Dog owners are the most active, of course, but active play with cats is just as beneficial.
- Diagnosis of human diseases
Thanks to the amazing animal sense of smell, it is possible to detect the slightest changes in the human body. Pets, having smelled such changes, sharply change their behavior near their owners. Most often animals can sense diseases such as cancer, narcolepsy, migraine, diabetes and seizures. Dogs are particularly sensitive to illnesses, detecting them with a high level of accuracy.
- Reducing the risk of disease
Keeping pets has been proven to boost immunity, so the risk of allergies and heart disease is significantly reduced. However, scientists at the University of California and Stanford University have found that our pets also protect our bodies from some forms of cancer. Children who grow up in families with pets are much less likely to suffer from allergies because they are accustomed to pet hair and products from birth.
- Expanding social connections
Common interests bring people together and unite them. Pets make it much easier for people to talk, make new acquaintances, or maintain a conversation. Pet owners often get acquainted and begin to communicate during walks, in pet stores and on the Internet. After all, they always have something to discuss and talk about. In this way, our “little friends” help us to cope with loneliness and get rid of shyness.
Support from animals during recovery
Animals provide invaluable support during the recovery process from illness or surgery. Not only can pets help to improve mood, but they can also encourage the patient to get active. This is especially important for people recovering from injury or surgery, when support is needed to return to normal physical activity.
In addition, grooming an animal can be part of the therapeutic process. For example, regular walks with a dog or playing with a cat can help patients get moving, which greatly speeds up the rehabilitation process.
Animals and therapy for the elderly
For the elderly, pets are often indispensable companions to help them survive loneliness. Some nursing homes specifically organize assistance animals, as they have a proven ability to have a positive effect on the condition of the elderly. Pets reduce depression and improve the psycho-emotional state of the elderly, giving them a sense of need and mutual support.
Pets as part of family therapy
Pets can be not only friends, but also real therapists. For families going through difficulties, such as divorce or the loss of a loved one, pets can help them cope better. They become a source of comfort and support for each family member, helping to establish an emotional atmosphere in the home. For example, cats and dogs can help children cope more easily with loss or difficult events by showing care and love.
The role of animals in helping children with special needs
Pets play an important role in the lives of children with special needs, including children with autism, ADHD, and a variety of psycho-emotional disorders. Research shows that interaction with animals not only helps improve mood and emotional well-being, but also develops important social and cognitive skills.
How animals help children with special needs:
- Developing social skills. Children with autism or ADHD often have difficulty establishing and maintaining contact with others. Interacting with animals, especially dogs, helps children develop social skills and better understand the emotions of others.
- Improving empathy and caring. Caring for a pet helps children learn to show care and consideration for other creatures. This helps to develop a sense of empathy and improve relationships with others.
- Increased self-confidence. Interacting with an animal that does not evaluate, criticize or judge allows the child to feel more confident. Animals provide a safe environment to experiment with new skills and behaviors.
- Stress and anxiety reduction. Contact with pets helps children with special needs to relax and reduce anxiety levels. Animals create an atmosphere of peace and security, which promotes emotional regulation.
- Support for motor development. Caring for your pet, including walking, feeding and playing, helps develop physical activity and coordination, which is especially important for children with physical disabilities or motivation problems.
Examples of the use of animals in therapy
- Rescue dogs help children with autism develop communication skills by teaching them to more accurately recognize emotions and express their needs.
- Hippotherapy with horses is used to improve motor skills and create a safe environment for emotional expression for children with psycho-emotional disorders.
- Felinotherapy, i.e. therapy with cats, helps to develop children’s self-control skills and improve social interactions in a relaxed and non-aggressive atmosphere.
Thus, pets become not only loyal friends, but also important helpers in the rehabilitation of children with special needs, contributing to their all-round development and improving their quality of life.
Conclusion
Pets play an irreplaceable role in people’s lives, influencing their physical, mental and emotional well-being. From helping to reduce stress and anxiety to supporting the healing and rehabilitation process, pets become not only loyal friends but also important therapists. Their interactions with children, seniors and people with special needs help develop important social skills, improve health and restore vitality after illness or injury.
Animal therapy is becoming increasingly popular, offering new ways to heal and improve quality of life, and interaction with animals helps create harmony in a person’s life. Pets not only bring joy and comfort, but also become true companions on the path to health and happiness.
