Animals are known to offer companionship, joy, and comfort to us, but newer research and practices have shed light on their transformative roles in therapy. Animals of all shapes and sizes are making their mark in the world of mental health care, social care, and rehabilitation. Here are 10 ways animals are contributing to human well-being by providing therapy in ways that might surprise you.
Therapy Through Animals
Using animals in therapy has transformed our approach to healing, education, and development, fostering stronger bonds with animals. As they help overcome trauma, reduce anxiety, or improve social skills, animals are an emerging resource in providing innovative, compassionate, and surprising solutions to human challenges. With their grace, kindness, and spirit, animals may be our best chance to heal from modern-day life’s mental and physical consequences.
1. Dolphins for Mental Health
Dolphin-assisted therapy (DAT) has emerged as a fascinating way to treat individuals with a variety of mental health conditions, including autism spectrum disorders, depression, and PTSD. Due to their intelligence and playful nature, interacting with dolphins can help improve emotional awareness, self-confidence, and social skills, making DAT a valuable tool for therapy. Additionally, the experience can teach valuable lessons about self-awareness and surrender, challenging traditional views on addiction treatment.
2. Horses for Neurological Disorders
Equine therapy, or horse-assisted therapy, is a growing field that involves using horses to help people heal emotionally and psychologically through reflected emotions and the bond between humans and horses. Traditionally, it is used to help individuals recover from trauma, anxiety, depression, and autism. However, new research shows that horses are increasingly used to help patients with neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease, improving coordination and balance through horseback riding and hippotherapy.
3. Guinea Pigs for Comfort
Guinea pigs are another surprising animal that can play a key role in therapy. Their small size and gentle nature make them ideal for working with children or individuals who find traditional therapy animals, such as dogs or cats, intimidating. Used in therapeutic settings, such as psychiatric clinics or schools, guinea pigs can help build empathy, teach responsibility and routine, and create a sense of purpose by providing a calming presence. Another example of such an animal is a ferret.
4. Monkeys for Mobility Impairment
Taking a step away from traditional therapy animals, such as dogs and cats, is the training of capuchin monkeys to help patients with spinal cord injuries and mobility impairment. For example, the not-for-profit organization Helping Hands uses capuchin monkeys to help patients with feelings of loneliness and provide support by reaching for things they wouldn’t otherwise be able to grab.
5. Rats for Healing
Surprisingly, rats are being used in a variety of therapy programs, particularly in scientific and behavioral therapies, for their ability to learn, social nature, and sensitivity to human emotions. Rats are helpful to people who have cognitive and emotional difficulties as they can be used in sensory therapy to engage patients in touch and interaction. Additionally, their training has been found to help children with ADHD and anxiety develop focus and attention skills.
6. Birds for Connection
Because of their ability to communicate, birds, particularly parrots, have found their place in therapy. For example, parrots can mimic human speech, which helps individuals feel understood and not isolated, helping them forge strong bonds with patients and their need for attention, which helps motivate people to stay engaged. Additionally, birds are used in mental health programs to promote social interaction, self-esteem, and emotional expression.
7. Elephant for Special Needs
Children with special needs often require specialized help to ensure healthy development, and elephants may be the surprising solution as they can help with many types of developmental challenges. For example, special needs children in Thailand are aided in their development with therapy elephants, where they ride, wash, scrub, and play ball games with them to help teach and encourage certain key skills and build their confidence.
8. Fish for Emotional Regulation
We all go to aquariums not just to learn about our oceans but to watch, mesmerized as marine life swim, float, and swirl in the water. This is the very essence of how fish can help in therapeutic practices, as their calming presence can reduce stress, lower heart rates, and even decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression. Therefore, aquatic therapy can be incorporated into healthcare settings to calm patients in hospitals, care homes, and other places of healing by providing a peaceful, meditative experience that aids in emotional regulation.
9. Reptiles for Anxiety
Although reptiles, such as snakes and lizards, may seem like unlikely candidates for therapy, they have proven to be effective in very specific therapeutic contexts. For example, reptile therapy can be effective for people with severe anxiety and phobias, as interacting with reptiles can help address feelings of fear and anxiety. Additionally, reptiles can provide sensory stimulation, which is beneficial for individuals with sensory processing disorders.
10. Farm Animals for Emotional Support
Integrating farm animals into more urban environments can offer valuable lessons in patience, responsibility, and empathy by helping individuals connect with animals that are typically outside their everyday routines. Additionally, farm animals have been known to reduce cortisol levels and help manage feelings of anxiety and stress. For example, miniature pigs are being used as emotional support animals for individuals with autism and PTSD.
Animal Therapy
From the humble guinea pig to the majestic horse, animals are proving themselves to be our invaluable partners in therapy. They offer a wide range of benefits that go far beyond companionship. As research into animal-assisted therapy continues to evolve, it’s clear that these creatures have a profound impact on human health, healing, happiness, and emotional well-being.
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