Pet Therapy Part III: Therapeutic Value
The therapeutic use of pets is considered to be a sensory modulation approach. The integration of animal-assisted therapy into practice has been discussed in nursing, psychology, and rehabilitation literature, as well as others. However, it has only in the last half of the twentieth century that professional recognition began to acknowledge the benefit of pet therapy.
Pet therapy influences the spirit-mind-body interconnectedness in many ways. Activities such as watching fish swimming in a fish tank or petting a cat or dog have been found to decrease blood pressure, lower heart rate, and reduce anxiety. Social interactions increase when pets are brought into nursing homes and mental healthcare settings. Therapeutic interactions with pets provide unconditional love, affection, and acceptance, helping people of all ages feel a greater sense of belonging and connectedness to the world. Positive experiences with pets tend to elicit nurturing instincts and behaviors.
Some of the common goals of pet therapy include:
- The facilitation of communication and social interactions
- To facilitate the expression of feelings
- To brighten mood and affect and lessen anxiety
- To help to explore grief and loss issues
- To help to improve reality orientation
- To help to improve the ability to cooperate
- To increase the ability to trust
- To help learn appropriate forms of touch
- To help to improve self-esteem and self worth
- To provide an opportunity to show affection