Several animal-assisted therapies and activities are included under the umbrella term of pet therapy. Using dogs or other animals, animal-assisted therapy helps people cope with or recover from cancer, mental illness, and heart disease.
Providing comfort and entertainment for nursing home residents is the aim of animal-assisted activities.
How Does Animal/Pet Therapy Work?
A variety of goals can be achieved with animal therapy, and implementing it will be determined by those goals. Here are some examples of the goals:
- Providing comfort and lowering pain levels
- Improving movement and motor skills
- The development of social and behavioral abilities
- Motivating people to take part in exercise and social interactions
Typically, animal handlers, who are often their pets’ owners, bring the animals to each animal therapy session. Assisting the individual to achieve the therapy’s objectives under the supervision of a physician is the handler’s role. Through various organizations, handlers are trained and connected to healthcare providers. Most handlers work independently. These groups and organizations require certifications from both the animal and the handler before they can be used for therapy. Usually, the handlers must complete an intensive training course on interacting with people and delivering the various types of therapy available.
Furthermore, the animal must pass several tests. In addition to checking immunization records, the veterinarian performs a physical examination to assess the animal’s health. A temperament evaluation will be conducted to ensure that the dogs act appropriately around their handlers and other people.
In addition, the dog will be trained in obedience. All parties involved in this procedure are thoroughly tested and certified. This testing is done to certify the professionalism and safety of all parties tangled and provide the best possible therapy sessions to each individual.
The rights of a therapy dog are different from those of a service dog. For example, it is forbidden for a therapy dog to enter a business location with its handler.
Category of Persons Who Can Seek Animal Assisted Therapy.
Animal-assisted/pet therapy offers relief from anxiety, pain, exhaustion, and sadness for persons with various health conditions. The following is a list of persons who can benefit from animal-assisted therapy:
- Kids while at dentists.
- Patients with tumors
- Patients suffering from heart problems
- PTSD patients
- Anxious individuals.
Aside from people with health issues, others benefit from it as well. Animal visitors’ friends and family members also feel better.
Nonmedical settings such as universities and communities also utilize pet therapy to help people cope with anxiety and stress.
Risks Associated with Animal Assisted Therapy
Hospitals are particularly concerned about safety and cleanliness. Hospitals and other treatment centers that provide pet therapy usually have strict hygiene, vaccination, training, and behavior inspections policies.
Seek Animal-Assisted Therapy From The Best Clinic
More than a dozen therapy dogs and their handlers are part of the Skyward Treatment program. Daily, they visit various hospital departments and, if necessary, conduct special visits. As well as providing a pleasant distraction, the dogs also help to relieve tension and anxiety associated with hospital stays. To learn more, talk to our online team.