PET THERAPY

INTRODUCTION
Pet therapy is a guided interaction between a person and a trained animal. It also involves the
animal's handler. The purpose of pet therapy is to help someone recover from or cope with a
health problem or mental disorder. Dogs and cats are most commonly used in pet therapy.
However, fish, guinea pigs, horses, and other animals that meet screening criteria can also be
used. The type of animal chosen depends on the therapeutic goals of a person's treatment plan.
DEFINITION
Pet therapy is the umbrella term used to describe animal-assisted therapy and other animal-
assisted activities. Animal-assisted therapy helps people cope with both mental and physical
health problems, such as anxiety or cancer.
OR
Pet therapy is a guided interaction between a person and a trained animal. It also involves the
animal's handler. The purpose of pet therapy is to help someone recover from or cope with a
health problem or mental disorder.
THE GOALS OF A PET THERAPY PROGRAM CAN INCLUDE:

 Improving motor skills and joint movement.

 Improving assisted or independent movement.
 Increasing self-esteem.
 Increasing verbal communication,
 Developing social skills.
 Increasing willingness to join in activities.
 Improving interactions with others.
 Motivating willingness to exercise.

BENEFITS OF PET THERAPY

Pet therapy builds on the pre-existing human-animal bond. Interacting with a friendly pet can
help many physical and mental issues.
It can help reduce blood pressure and improve overall cardiovascular health. It can also release
endorphins that produce a calming effect. This can help alleviate pain, reduce stress, and improve
your overall psychological state.
Pet therapy can be used in many different ways. It's well-known (and scientifically proven) that
interaction with a gentle, friendly pet has significant benefits:
Physical Health:

 lowers blood pressure

 Improves cardiovascular health
 releases endorphins (oxytocin) that have a calming effect
 diminishes overall physical pain
 the act of petting produces an automatic relaxation response, reducing the amount of
medication some folks need
2. Mental Health:

 lifts spirits and lessens depression

 decreases feelings of isolation and alienation.
 encourages communication
 provides comfort
 increases socialization.
 reduces boredom
 lowers anxiety
 helps children overcome speech and emotional disorders creates motivation for the client
to recover faster
 reduces loneliness:

3. Reading: (PAWS for Reading)

 helps children focus better

 improves literacy skills
 provides non-stressful, non-judgmental environment
 increases self-confidence, reduces self-consciousness

4. In Physical Therapy

 increases joint movement and improves recovery time

 maintains or increases motor skills
 provides motivation to move more, stretch farther, exercise longer

PET THERAPY CAN BE USEFUL FOR:

 People undergoing chemotherapy.

 Residents in long-term care facilities.
 hospitalized with chronic heart failure.
 Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.
 Children having physical or dental procedures.
 Stroke victims and people undergoing physical therapy to regain motor skills.
  People with mental health disorders.

RISKS OF PET THERAPY

Some of the biggest risks of pet therapy involve safety and sanitation. Animals in pet
therapy programs are typically screened for behaviour and health. The animals' owners and
handlers must also undergo training and evaluation to help ensure a positive experience.
While uncommon, human injury can occur when unsuitable animals are used. In addition,
animals may suffer injury or abuse when handled inappropriately.
In some cases, patients may become possessive of the animals helping them. This can result
in problems with low self-esteem when unrealistic expectations aren't met. When an animal dies.
during pet therapy, patients may feel intense grief or even guilt.
During a medical procedure, people may have less anxiety if a pet is present. In rehabilitation,
people may be more motivated to recover and practice their therapy when working with a pet.
People who have sensory disabilities can sometimes communicate more easily with an animal.
This encourages more interaction with healthcare providers and other people.
HOW IS PET THERAPY ADMINISTERED?
Your doctor or therapist managing your treatment will administer pet therapy. A trained
handler, often the pet's owner, will take the animal to every meeting and work under your doctor
or therapist's direction to help you reach your goals. In most cases, the handlers work as
volunteers. Discussion of proper pet handling is needed to ensure the safety of both the person
receiving treatment and the pet.
The first step in pet therapy is the selection of a suitable animal. Many groups and
organizations train and connect volunteer owners and pets with healthcare providers. Before an
animal and its handler can participate in pet therapy, the team has to fulfill certain requirements.
This process typically includes:

 physical examination of the animal to confirm that it's immunized and free of diseases
 An obedience training course to ensure proper animal control An instructional course to
teach the trainer about interaction with other people
 An evaluation of the animal's temperament and behaviour with the handler
 A certification from the sponsoring organization
 Once a team of an animal and a handler is approved, animals are assigned for therapy
based on a specific person's needs. The animal's type, breed, size, age, and natural
behaviour will determine where it will be most helpful
OUTLOOK
The success of pet therapy depends on establishing realistic goals and expectations and
meeting those goals.
You and your doctor or therapist will establish these goals at the beginning of your treatment.
You'll also discuss how to reach those goals and how long it will take.
Your doctor or therapist will monitor your progress and help you stay on track to meet your
goals. If your progress is slower or faster than expected, they may alter your treatment plan.
Pet therapy can help both children and adults with a variety of physical and mental issues. It can
reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and increase positivity and socialization. Talk to your
doctor about more information on pet therapy and whether it's suitable for you.
RESULTS OF PET THERAPY
Patients in pet therapy may experience reduced cardiovascular reactions to stress. This is
attributed to a process called "contact comfort." In this process, the unconditional human-animal
bond that forms through touch is thought to induce relaxation (Halm, 2008). Evidence of the
physiological effects of pet therapy was found in a study of adult patients hospitalized with heart
failure. Researchers credited pet therapy with improving levels of cardiopulmonary function,
neuro hormone levels, and anxiety (Cole, et al., 2007). In the health care setting, animals can
facilitate communication. Their presence encourages. interactions among patients, healthcare
providers, staff, and visitors (AVMA, 2013).
CONCLUSION
Keeping pets not only relates to people and healthier life more closely nowadays. Keeping pets
can also be good for people which can help us relieve loneliness of life and regulate people's
mental health. Our pets are playing more important roles and functions for our healthier life.
REFERENCES

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of human/companion animal bonding. Nursing Research, 33(3), 162-170.
 Bossard, J.H.S. (1950). I wrote about dogs. Mental Hygiene, 34, 345-349,
 Freidmann, E., Katcher, A.H., Lynch, J. & Thomas, S.A.(1980). Animal companions and
one-year survival ofpatients after discharge from a coronary care unit. Public Health
Reports, 95, 307-312.