How Does Animal Assisted Therapy Work?
A trained therapist can introduce pet therapy to improve many types of disorders including:
PTSD | Addictions and substance abuse | OCD
ADHD | Anxiety | Cognitive disorders | Mood disorders
This is just to name a few.
Although the subject requires more research, animal assisted therapy has been shown to help patients in several different ways, depending on the treatment goals.
For example, people with anxiety and mood disorders experience an improved ability to cope with psychological stressors simply by being in the presence of an animal. It is thought that the animals help people stay grounded rather than get carried away by intrusive thoughts. This is because animals exude a non-judgmental depth of consciousness that can be felt by humans, which offers an opportunity for better feelings to surface.
Alternatively, it has been suggested that emotional pet support allows a greater bond to be established between the therapist and the patient, thus improving the overall therapeutic experience.
