Animal-assisted therapy

Therapiehund

File:Pies asystujacy golden retriever 2009 pl.jpg

Pies asystujacy golden retriever 2009 pl

Stella at school.

Therapeutic horseback riding 2

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a form of therapy that involves animals as a form of treatment. The goal of AAT is to improve a patient's social, emotional, or cognitive functioning. Animals involved in this type of therapy include dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, birds, and other domesticated animals. The use of animals in therapy has a long history, with evidence of its practice dating back to ancient times. Today, AAT is recognized and utilized in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, mental health facilities, and rehabilitation centers.

History

The history of animal-assisted therapy can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where animals were often included in healing practices. In modern times, the formal use of animals in therapeutic settings began to gain recognition in the 20th century. One of the pioneers of AAT was Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, who used animals in therapy sessions with mentally ill patients. Another notable figure is Boris Levinson, a psychologist who discovered the benefits of involving his dog in therapy sessions with children.

Types of Animal-Assisted Therapy

There are several types of animal-assisted therapy, each serving different therapeutic goals and utilizing different kinds of animals. Some of the most common types include:

• Equine-Assisted Therapy (EAT): Involves interactions with horses to help individuals with emotional and behavioral issues.
• Canine-Assisted Therapy: Utilizes dogs to improve the mental health and well-being of individuals.
• Dolphin-Assisted Therapy: Although controversial, it involves interactions with dolphins, aiming to treat or alleviate various conditions.

Benefits

The benefits of animal-assisted therapy are vast and varied, depending on the individual's needs and the type of therapy. Some of the recognized benefits include:

• Improved mood and reduced feelings of anxiety and depression
• Increased social interaction and communication skills
• Enhanced self-esteem and ability to trust
• Reduction in blood pressure and stress levels
• Improved motor skills and physical rehabilitation

Challenges and Considerations

While AAT can be beneficial, there are also challenges and considerations that need to be addressed. These include ensuring the welfare of the animals involved, training and certifying therapy animals, and understanding the individual's allergies or fears related to animals.

Conclusion

Animal-assisted therapy represents a unique and effective approach to treatment that leverages the bond between humans and animals. As research continues to evolve, the scope and application of AAT are likely to expand, offering new avenues for healing and rehabilitation.

‎ ‎

---

Translate: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, தமிழ், తెలుగు, Urdu, ಕನ್ನಡ, Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, বাংলা
European español, Deutsch, français, Greek, português do Brasil, polski, română, русский, Nederlands, norsk, svenska, suomi, Italian
Middle Eastern & African عربى, Turkish, Persian, Hebrew, Afrikaans, isiZulu, Kiswahili,
Other Bulgarian, Hungarian, Czech, Swedish, മലയാളം, मराठी, ਪੰਜਾਬੀ, ગુજરાતી, Portuguese, Ukrainian