What Are the Benefits of Animal Therapy?

If a dog or a cat can come home with you, why can’t a goat, cow, or horse?

Well, generally, you can’t. You can’t just bring home your neighbor’s cat. And that horse? Not happening.

But animal therapy becomes a powerful and important part of mental health treatment in the confines of a therapy practice or clinical setting.

Can you imagine how much an overweight, middle-aged dog would remind you to get off the couch? Or how would a horse help you confront your inability to get close to others? Read on for more.

Reduced Stress and Anxiety

Through stroking, hugging, or simply in the presence of an animal, people have reported being more relaxed and having a reduced heart rate. Physical contact associated with animal assisted therapy provides additional comfort and reduces stress.

Animal-assisted therapy has also been found to increase serotonin, which can help reduce stress and anxiety levels. They have the power to induce calming effects and reduce levels of stress.

Improved Mood

Animal therapy has been proven to be a powerful tool for improving mood and well-being. This pet therapy can be beneficial even in just a few sessions. It can help those suffering from depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues.

Those suffering may begin to feel happier, calmer, and more relaxed. Not only can animal therapy help with improved mood, but it can also improve self-esteem, strengthen relationships, and provide peace of mind.

Increased Socialization

Animal-assisted therapy can aid in social interactions with behaviorally challenged patients. The animal’s comfort can create an environment where communication can occur more freely. This allows for the development of new skills and behavior in social contexts.

Animal therapy also helps by providing opportunities for people to interact with others and meet new people. This can increase self-confidence and provide a greater social circle for individuals to have meaningful interactions.

Improved Physical Health

Working with an animal-assisted therapist has been shown to help people dealing with physical injuries and health challenges such as chronic pain. Petting an animal, such as a horse or a dog, can provide an emotional and physical connection which can help the body to relax and put the body at ease.

Watching animals can be soothing and provide a psychological respite from physical ailments. Animal therapy can help people in rehabilitation rebuild lost strength, either physically or emotionally.

Greater Sense of Purpose

Animals also help to bolster humans’ sense of connection to something larger, leading to greater feelings of meaning, value, and purpose. For many, animals can help spark feelings of joy and purpose that otherwise may have been lacking.

Animal therapy has been proven to help individuals in numerous ways, allowing them to live a more fulfilling and meaningful life. This is what equine assisted therapy is all about. So, if you want to read about equine assisted therapy, be sure to check out this link.

Reap the Benefits of Animal Therapy

Animals can profoundly affect the emotional and physical well-being of humans, and animal therapy is an effective and natural way to experience these benefits. Whether utilized in an individual or group setting, people can enjoy the calming presence of animals, improve social and communication skills, and lessen the psychological burden of mental health issues.

Contact a local organization for those considering animal therapy and learn how the power of pets can help improve your overall well-being.

We hope this article was useful to you. If you enjoyed it, be sure to check out our blog for more great articles.