An interview, presentation in front of peers or a serious decision can cause this feeling among many other triggers. For some people, the symptoms consist of hands shaking and feeling nauseous (BE5). For others the feelings are more excessive and serious - a panic attack (Anxiety)(SC8). Pet therapy can greatly change the life of a person with anxiety. Even the simple act of grooming a pet has been proven to be related to the release of oxytocin. Oxytocin is a hormone associated with anxiety alleviation. This has also been found true for people who claim they do not like animals (B., Courtney). A subgroup of anxiety is an illness called Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The disorder can often have the same symptoms as anxiety along with …show more content…
The most common animal is the dog, but a few others are used as well. Cats can be used if an individual is intimidated by dogs. Cats are often used in nursing homes. They can aid those with Dementia and can provide a sense of comfort to those who used to own animals. Horses are also used for pet therapy, they offer a distraction from behaviors such as aggression and anxiety. Other animals such as reptiles, birds, guinea pigs, and rabbits, are used for pet therapy (Bubar). In conclusion, among the many treatments found for mental illnesses, pet therapy is one of the most diverse, beneficial, and effective remedies. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Anxiety, Obsessive-compulsive Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Depression, are some of the many illnesses that a person can have that would benefit exceedingly due to pet therapy. Owning a pet also helps people who have Cardiovascular disease. There are also many benefits to owning a pet even if a person does not have a mental illness. Some of the benefits include high self-esteem, overall happiness, lower levels of stress, and many others. Whether its a cat, dog, or horse, a pet is a good investment for those suffering from a mental illness. Pet therapy is one of the most overlooked treatments in the medical world. Pet therapy is not just for helping people with their illness or disorder, but to enhance the quality of that person’s
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is an anxiety
Studies have shown that animal therapy can decrease anxiety and pain, lower blood pressure and help alleviate depression, while offering companionship and a distraction from treatments. The Sobiech family decided to adopt a puppy named, Daisy, to help them through the hard times. She was like a furry panacea. As Daisy’s little tiff with the puppy in the mirror played out, we all turned and regarded her for a moment, then looked at one another as we wiped the tears from our faces. The tension and sadness shifted so easily into torrents of laughter, and I realized what a blessing this little beast was (Sobiech 75).
In a 1980 study, researchers of the University of Maryland and Pennsylvania were to record and report the survival rates of ninety-two individuals with severe heart trouble, fifty-three receiving a pet animal of some sort. At the end of the year, eleven of the thirty-nine heart patients without a pet had died, while only three of the fifty-three with a pet had died. Why is it that the survival rate for those without pets was only seventy-two percent, while the survival rate for those with a pet was a whopping 94 percent? The simple answer can be found in later-conducted research: simply being in an animal’s presence both lowers blood pressure and reduces stress, while stroking an animal leads to the release of endorphins, the brain’s pleasure chemical (Gorman 1). For these reasons, among others, many hospitals, nursing homes, and therapists across America use dogs to aid patients.
After reading this chapter, another perfect job that I think not only dog but other animals could do is become psychiatrists. Some dogs are mean to become firefighter, the others are longed to become policemen best pal but some are just able to help other by appear and being there for people in need. Therapy dogs are dogs who go with their owners from working with a child who is learning to read to visiting a senior in assisted living, therapy dogs and their owners always work together as a team to improve the lives of other people. I always know that dogs are really easy to talk to because first of all, they won’t judge you and second of all, they always listen to your trouble and last but not least is their cuteness. Therapy dogs can also help people recover more quickly by working as AAT (Animal-assisted therapy) dogs with their human partners and because therapy dogs are not service dogs, they require other special trainings and don have the same special access as service dog.
Dogs are better than cats. Dogs can provide protection for you and your family from dangerous situations. Dogs can be service dogs for people who need help or they have medical problems. Also dogs have a very good sense of smell which can help with a lot of problems. In all dogs are way better than cats.
Either way they will have an impact in someone's life. It is good to have A pet that impacts your life, it shows what they think of you. John Steinbeck changed by traveling with charley. One of the first evidence Is, on chunk 4 it says " He leaped all over me, he cursed and growled,snarled and screamed.
Corgis, Pomeranians, Saint Bernards, and Labrador Retrievers. What do all of these furry friends have in common? They can all be a part of a group known as therapy dogs. Therapy dogs are specially trained dogs who can help a variety of people in different settings. Imagine one day you are in a crowded area and all of a sudden you can't breath and are panicking because there are so many people around you.
The use of animals in the treatment of mental health has been slower than other fields of health in identifying the potential benefits of animals to mental health conditions. As this field has taken longer to recognize the potential benefits of animal assisted therapies its potential applications are less researched at this point in time (Walsh, 2009). Animal assisted therapies and their uses for military population include medical conditions and mental health applications. The uses of animals in the military throughout history have included a variety of different applications, including but not limited to, “cavalry horses, sentry dogs, carrier pigeons, and unit mascots, or unofficially as a soldier’s battle companion” (Chumley, 2012). The use of animals in animal-assisted therapy within the United States’ Military is still in its early stages.
Apart from that, the people those who suffering from emotional disorders, they need emotional support animals for their treatment. Some pet owners are gaming the system in order to have everyday pets travel for free. The federal regulations allow a legitimate ESA it can be a dog. To travel on airplanes in the cabin with the owner and for free it the owner has proper documents that mean a letter from a mental health professional and doctor. The animal must be well-behaved and must be adequate space
The starting point of Human-Animal Interaction began during the nineteen-eighties when it became a field of study. In the past ten years’ human-animal interaction influenced human-animal assistance and became accepted that it has positive effects on humans, (Beetz, Andrea, 2012). Today, animal-assisted interventions for children and adults with or without mental health problems is positively acknowledge. Many studies show physiological effects of human-animal interaction. Which is associated with psychological process integrating with the psychophysiological effects of human-animal interactions backed up by the studies.
Finally, there is even a therapy where a small pony is taken to a nursing home and the residents get to pet and talk to the pony. Senior citizens who experience memory loss can also benefit from equine therapy. There are many people young and old, who benefit from equine therapy both mentally as physically. In addition, equine therapy is not just useful for special needs individuals, but it is helpful for kids having trouble in school, kids with behavioral issues and people who have experienced a loss.
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy is when people with mental health problems take part in equine related activities as part of the Psychotherapy session concluded by (Lynn, Kuropatkin,2013) Equine Assisted Therapy is better used to deal with trauma and loss, increase levels of trust establish boundaries and create awareness of the needs of living creatures through responsible care of the horse. Equine Assisted Therapy is used a lot with Veterans, many veterans take part in a program called Veteran Equine Transition therapy. The horses help the veterans escape the thoughts of war they have focus on and think about something else. Equine Assisted psychotherapy is very self-rewarding program and has a great outcome for those who go through the classes and learn to trust and listen to the horse. Horses are great companion animals and normally the mentally ill connect better with a horse than they will a human.
Interacting with a pet can alleviate physical symptoms such as high blood pressure and pain management or mental benefits such as stress reduction and easing the mind. Pet therapy is deigned to the specific individuals needs and goals to exude the greatest benefits from the treatment plan. According to UCLA Health Animal-Assisted Research findings, some physical and mental goals of a pet therapy program can include; improving assisted/independent movement, increasing self-esteem, expanding verbal communication, developing social skills/interactions, and motivating the individual to exercise and join in activity groups. The benefits of accomplishing the goals listed above include, a more positive viewpoint on life, lessening depression, eliminating loneliness by providing animal companionship, decreasing anxiety, improving relationships around the person, and teaching individuals to become more empathetic and
Ciara Hebert 016214300 M/W: 3:30-4:45 p.m. Why you should have a pet: Key points/Outline: 1) Reduces stress Increases happiness a. Pet is a healthy way to vent b. Pet doesn’t judge you c. When you pet an animal it reduces your cortisol hormone, the primary stress hormone 2) Betters your health a. Decreased heart disease risk b. Reduces blood pressure c. Decrease cholesterol 3) Teaches responsibility a. Nothing can teach more responsibility than keeping another being alive b. Have to feed, groom, walk, give water, maintain a clean habitat and play with the animal Sources: 1) Forbes: “Pet Owners may have Decreased Risk for Heart Disease” Glatter, R. (2013, May 11). Pet Owners May Have Lower Risk For Heart Disease.
Animals and humans have always had a special bond. From the earliest of times, man would tame animals to be his companion. Dogs and cats were welcomed into the home to be companions to man. As time passed, research proved that these family companions could also provide healing for individuals with special needs. Therapy dogs emerged, and gave comfort to people in hospitals, confidence to children with autism, and companionship for the lonely.