Animal-Assisted Therapy Programs

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how animal-assisted therapy can be used as a holistic approach to improve the quality of life of humans in clinical and social settings for children and adults alike. It looks at how the field of behavioral health has found uses for animals in psychotherapy and treating mentally ill and emotionally disturbed patients. Modern medicine is just beginning to see the possible benefits of dogs in treating patients with various diseases. It also discusses how service and companion animals enable people to relax and focus as well as improve their self-image and gain independence.

From the Paper:

"Psychiatrists and psychotherapists have found that animal-assisted therapy proves effective in the management of their clients. The animals assist the clinician by removing the subject's anxiety and paving the way for open communication (Netting, Wilson, and New, 1987). Additionally, the bond shared between humans and animals provides an alternate path to recovery by reducing stress and stimulating the desire to participate in individual and group activities (Bizup, Joy, and Davidson, 2003). For example, equine-facilitated psychotherapy forces patients to align their outward body language and behavior with what they are feeling internally. Because a horse is very sensitive to its environment, it can sense a rider's conflicting attitude and disposition."

More papers on Animal-Assisted Therapy Programs:

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