Animal Therapy: A Beginner’s Guide
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Animal Therapy is one of the newest and most innovative forms of therapy. You would be entirely forgiven if you had never even heard of it until this point.
So, whether you are looking for ways to be more at peace with your mind or else you have recently been experiencing seemingly inexplicable periods of low mood, you have certainly clicked on the right article.
Should You Bring a Pet into Your Life?
Different species of domesticated animals require different levels of care and attention, so you need to be prepared for that, and there is also the matter of expenses to think about. If you decide to bring an animal into your home and your heart, you must always register them with a reputable and renowned practice, such as saltwateranimalhospital.com.
What is Animal Therapy?
Essentially, animal therapy, sometimes alternatively referred to as pet therapy, is the process of using animals, usually domesticated animals but not always, to help and assist individuals who are either recovering from or coping with a range of different mental or physical health conditions.
Animal therapy is indeed a branch of therapy in its own right, and professionals have been trained to best start the healing process through spending time with animals. However, arguably, animal therapy is also something you can start at home or may even already be unwittingly engaged if you already own an animal.
How Does Animal Therapy Work?
Not only can animal therapy help form a close, personal connection between you and your beloved pet, be that a bird, rabbit, guinea pig, dog, or even horse or pig, but it will also be mutually beneficial when it comes to emotional health.
The bond you naturally form when taking care of an animal properly and ensuring that all their physical and emotional needs are always met daily can have many positive effects.
Animal therapy can help reduce feelings of restlessness and boredom, increase your social interactions (both between you and your animal and other like-minded pet owners), provide much-needed companionship, and reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Animal therapy sessions are specifically designed for the individual in mind, so different goals are set with different targets in mind. Depending on the nature of the health issue or condition of the person, animal therapy can be administered for a shorter or longer amount of time.
However, the general goals of animal therapy remain the same regardless and include the following:
- Helping people to move their body and heighten motor and movement skills
- Reducing the feelings of pain and discomfort, if only for a short time
- The development of behavioral and social skills
- A higher level of energy and more motivation in daily life
There are so many things to consider when choosing the right animal for you. Still, one overarching thing to remember is that animals, no matter what the species, require a great deal of time, attention, and love, so this decision should never be undertaken lightly.
*This article is based on personal suggestions and/or experiences and is for informational purposes only. This should not be used as professional advice. Please consult a professional where applicable.
