Pet Therapy
More and more research is showing that pets can play an important role in achieving and maintaining good health. It is only natural then for animals to be used in the treatment of patients with mental and other illnesses. This practice is known commonly as Pet Therapy, and in the medical community as Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT).
Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) and Mental Health
Animal Assisted Therapy has been used with tremendous success to treat patients with a wide variety of mental illnesses and conditions. For instance, patients suffering from dementia show greater interest in social interaction and experience less agitation.
A patient does not necessarily need to have a mental illness to benefit from Pet Therapy, however. HIV/AIDS patients, for example, are prone to experience feelings of loneliness and depression. AAT can help them fight those feelings and be happier.
While dogs and cats offer companionship and affection, fish and birds can provide another health benefit. People find them easy and interesting to watch, but because they are not overly stimulating they have a wonderful calming effect.
Animal Assisted Therapy and Physical Health
AAT provides a wonderful incentive to exercise for people who might otherwise have little motivation to be active. One example is the elderly in nursing homes. When given pet therapy, these patients are much more likely to walk about and interact with other people, even if they have not shown these positive behaviors before.
Among younger patients, therapeutic horseback riding programs are very successful. Horseback riding is great exercise, and of course kids love it! It's one therapy that they will be excited about.
Volunteer Pets
For a patient living on his/her own, it may be possible to get a live-in pet that can be a constant friend. However, a live-in pet is usually not an option for patients in long-term healthcare facilities, such as nursing homes and some psychiatric facilities. Thus volunteer animals are needed to fill the void.
Before an animal becomes a volunteer pet, it must first receive proper training in a program designed to prepare animals for hospital visitation. Candidates should be well behaved, possibly displaying such desirable qualities as the ability to accept friendly strangers or react well to noise and other distractions.
Volunteer pets must also be kept up-to-date on all their shots and receive continual health monitoring. To minimize the risk of an animal carrying diseases and germs into a healthcare facility, pet owners must take good care of the pets at home. For example, animals should not be allowed to roam unattended outdoors, where they might eat garbage or come into contact with wild animals.
When AAT is done right, everyone involved benefits. If you have a pet that seems to have a temperament suitable for a volunteer animal, you might want to consider getting involved with a visitation program in your area. You can check out Jackie's List, an online directory of AAT programs and services across the USA, and ask around locally to find out about opportunities in your area.
