Understanding The Role of Therapy Animals
in Managing Mental Illness
Our furry friends have so much to give; they’re dependable, comforting, and reliable companions, and they help many people cope with mental health challenges. So how does it work? I talk to my dog; does that make her a therapy animal or me slightly strange? The short answer is a, yes, and b, definitely not. The uniqueness of an animal's ability to provide relief is what makes therapy animals so special. They have profound effects on our psyche; they can help us develop social skills, relieve pain, or simply offer comfort.
How they work
They range from dogs and cats to horses and even birds, but the service is the same: they offer support to people facing challenges. Unlike service animals trained for specific tasks, therapy animals specialize in providing comfort and companionship. The evidence has shown they can even improve the mood of university students.
The positive effects that come from interacting with animals include lowering blood pressure and regulating hormones like serotonin and oxytocin, which increase feelings of satisfaction and contentment. A British study from during the pandemic looked at how much animals helped people to cope– the result was overwhelmingly in favor.
What it looks like
It involves the integration of companion animals to support and enhance mental well-being in a range of settings. From aiding individuals with autism, depression, stress, and anxiety to assisting in crisis interventions and supporting those with dementia or in hospice care, companion animals play many different roles in promoting mental health and supplementing treatment strategies. You don’t have to be a psychiatrist or psychologist; animal therapy is commonplace in courses like counseling masters programs online, and social workers, youth workers, and many others use it regularly.
With psychotherapy, a form of talk therapy, companion animals help build rapport and enhance connections between therapists and patients. In some animal therapy sessions, a therapist and patient sit together with an animal nearby. The patient starts to feel more comfortable as they interact with the animal, gradually sharing their thoughts and feelings. The therapist encourages this process and suggests activities like walking the animal or reflecting on their relationship.
Developing social skills through animals is often used before ‘graduating’ to more complex human interaction. This improves the client's self-confidence and encourages them to express a range of emotions. Various techniques are used to incorporate animals into psychotherapy sessions, such as engaging with therapy animals out in nature or just outside the therapeutic environment.
Therapy for autism
Animal therapy is a good option when it comes to managing autism; it’s low-cost, low-risk, and compatible with other autism treatments. Numerous studies have shown positive effects, indicating that pets, service dogs, and animal-assisted therapies can help autistic individuals handle anxiety, engage more with others, and improve communication skills. One study even found that being around animals can increase smiles in autistic individuals.
In the past five years, the body of literature on animal-assisted interventions (AAI) for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has doubled, with 85 studies assessed by 2020, compared to 42 before 2015. Horses and dogs are the most commonly studied animals in AAI, with a primary focus on social interaction outcomes.
Depression
Animals can induce calmness and provide a sense of relief and purpose. Engaging with animals, whether it’s through play, care, or petting, triggers the release of endorphins in the brain, which counteracts feelings of pain and promotes a sense of pleasure and well-being, thus alleviating symptoms of depression.
Animals can offer comfort; they boost the mood of many depressed patients. A study on dog-assisted therapy revealed that it significantly alleviated depression symptoms in institutionalized elderly individuals. Similar outcomes have been observed in other studies as well.
Alongside this evidence, there are many reports by pet owners that owning an animal enhances their life quality and mitigates depression. While this claim is qualitative, it is evident that animal therapy has been useful in treating depression for many individuals.
Even if it doesn’t directly alleviate depression, it may help you to become more open and receptive to discussing their issues. A lot of people are hesitant or resistant to talk therapy, but having an animal present can make it easier for many people to open up.
Anxiety
For anxiety, our furry friends have a lot to offer: the act of interacting with animals can take the mind off our worries and angst, and their mere presence promotes a sense of calm and security. People with anxiety tend to worry excessively, but even brief sessions can lead to an overall sense of well-being and relaxation. Animals can even offer unconditional love and companionship, which can be incredibly therapeutic for those dealing with anxiety.
Play therapy is a valuable tool, especially for anxious children. Playing with pets has a relaxing and calming effect because it increases levels of serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin–neurotransmitters that play a vital role in mood regulation and the body’s stress response. Serotonin is often referred to as the ‘feel-good’ hormone, contributing to feelings of well-being and happiness. Dopamine is associated with the brain’s reward system and is linked to feelings of pleasure and satisfaction. Oxytocin, often dubbed the ‘love hormone,’ helps us develop feelings of trust, empathy, and bonding.
Are therapy animals for you?
Deciding whether therapy animals are for you is a personal decision and requires a bit of introspection to understand what exactly you want to get out of therapy. The evidence is clear: therapy animals have been shown to provide countless benefits, from reducing symptoms of mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety to aiding in the management of conditions like depression. They offer companionship, unconditional love, and a unique form of interaction that can often lead to improved mental health.
It’s important to remember that while the benefits are significant, animal therapy might not be for everyone. Some people may have allergies, phobias, or other conditions that could make interaction with animals difficult or uncomfortable. If you decide to get your own pet, the responsibility of caring for an animal is a commitment that requires time, resources, and energy, although it can be incredibly rewarding. Before deciding to get a pet for therapy, consider talking to a healthcare or mental health professional.
