Therapy comes in many forms, and the road to healing, whether it be emotionally, physically or otherwise, looks different for everyone. Just ask any therapist, professional with a Master of Social Work online, or carer: therapy is a complex and ever-changing field.
Just one of the unique methods of therapy introduced into hospitals and care facilities is animal therapy. If you’re not familiar with animal therapy, we’ll give you a quick explainer. Sometimes referred to as animal-assisted therapy, animal therapy is a complementary therapy that involves the use of animals as a way to help people cope and recover from various conditions, both mental and physical. In this article, we’ll outline just a few of the ways animal therapy is used in hospitals and care facilities.
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Reduce Stress and Anxiety
Therapy animals help take a patient’s mind off their worries, aiding in their recovery. Some studies have shown pets can actually reduce cortisol (a stress-related hormone) levels — having therapy animals around works in a similar way. Hope and a positive mindset can help in the healing process in certain circumstances, so reduced stress and anxiety levels can be crucial for some patients. For patients who are struggling with stress and anxiety, regular visits from therapy animals might help to ease these feelings. This is already positive, but in improving mindset, therapy animals could also aid in the recovery process.
Lower Blood Pressure and Heart Rate
A study conducted in Sweden where therapy dogs were taken to nursing homes found that regular visits from the animals resulted in lowered heart rate, as well as lowered systolic blood pressure in some residents. These results are likely due to the decreased feelings of stress animals can bring. Lowered blood pressure can lessen the risk of stroke or heart attack, making it a valuable goal for elderly and at-risk people. Through regular visits from therapy dogs to care facilities, or hospitals where these people may be staying, we can promote their heart health.
Improve the Wellbeing of Dementia Patients
Dementia is a complex and incredibly difficult condition. Those living with dementia can experience increased feelings of loneliness, depression, confusion, frustration and anger, all of which animal therapy can help alleviate. A study conducted in Germany found that nursing home residents living with dementia experienced improved psychosocial wellbeing after completing an animal-assisted intervention (AAI) program. When compared to therapy without dogs, research associate Sandra Wesenberg said “the AAI resulted in more social interactions and positive emotional expression”.
Support Through Grief
In places like nursing homes and aged-care facilities, it is not uncommon for residents to be dealing with grief. Many elderly residents will be facing devastating events like the loss of partners or other loved ones, and this can take a serious toll on mental health. If nothing else, animal-assisted therapy provides patients with companionship. Combatting loneliness and helping a person through a period of grief is an invaluable factor when it comes to supporting mental health. This doesn’t just apply to elderly patients and facility residents, though. Companionship and grief-support could apply to people of any age; for example, a hospital patient who has been in an accident that resulted in the loss of a loved one. The presence of therapy animals in a range of facilities could be the point of difference for patients and residents facing some of the most difficult times of their lives.
Pain Relief
There is a growing body of research around animal therapy and its ability to potentially reduce pain for some patients. We’ve already discussed emotional pain in different forms, but therapy animals have actually been linked to relieving physical pain, too. One study researched the effects of therapy animals on patients undergoing hip and knee replacements, and found that those that interacted with a therapy dog prior to physical therapy rated their pain as lower than those who only underwent typical protocols. The study concluded that the use of therapy dogs had a positive effect on both pain levels and satisfaction of patients following a total joint replacement. In hospital and physical rehab settings, the use of therapy animals could be incredibly beneficial to patients on their healing journeys.
Promotes Cognitive Function
For elderly patients, as well as those facing certain cognitive challenges, animal-assisted therapy can help improve cognitive function. Engaging in activities to care for animals, as well simply spending time and interacting with them can help improve attention, memory and problem-solving abilities. These improvements could make a significant difference in the quality of life of these patients, making animal therapy a valuable asset to facilities caring for or housing them.
There are many benefits to animal-assisted therapy, and it can be used to achieve a variety of goals across hospitals and care facilities such as nursing homes. Whether through live-in animals, weekly visits, or other arrangements, animals of various kinds can provide significant value to the quality of life and health of a range of patients.
