What Is Pet Therapy? 9 Best Benefits, Risks And FAQs

Knowing the ways of this healing process brings a crucial understanding of how well mental health and emotional health benefit from it. Our review was based on a limited number of studies, which can be attributed to our strict inclusion criteria and the presence of suboptimal study designs. Specifically, many of the randomized trials were characterized by small sample sizes, short durations, and a lack of follow-up assessments. Another limitation pertains to the suitability of the outcome measures used, which may not fully capture the important values and impacts as perceived by the participants. On the other hand, the qualitative research included in the review exhibited higher overall quality and contributed valuable insights to our findings.

First, “supportive mediation” involves AATs providing emotional and psychological support to individuals. Second, “therapeutic mediation” entails AATs addressing specific therapeutic goals and needs in a structured manner. Finally, “activating mediation” comprises AATs designed to stimulate engagement and participation in various activities or tasks. Since pet therapy animals don’t need task-specific training the way service animals do, there are more kinds of animals that can participate. A therapy animal is known to give unconditional love and emotional support to people suffering from poor mental health. Studies on human-animal interactions are very few indicating the need for more research in this area.

However, they should have basic training and socialization to stay calm and manageable. Interacting with animals has been proven to help people suffering from physical and/or mental health disorders cope and recover better. While the benefits of animal-assisted therapy are well-documented, it’s crucial to acknowledge potential risks and ethical considerations as well. Most notably, therapy animals must be properly trained and monitored to prevent stress or harm. Therapists should ensure informed consent, screen for allergies and maintain hygiene standards to safeguard both clients and animals. AAT supports those with mental health conditions by easing anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) through lower cortisol and higher oxytocin levels.

Some residential treatment centers are organized around long-term AAT, offering a camp-like environment, programs for nature immersion, animal training sessions, and other opportunities. Grief camps, for example, offer children who have experienced personal loss the opportunity to work through emotional experiences with horses or dogs. To determine the specific contexts in which AATs are effective, we classified the interventions into three categories.

Unlike service animals that have tasks or jobs to do, therapy animals exist primarily for emotional support and friendship. They work with licensed mental health professionals in hospitals, schools, and other rehab centers to help improve the moods and emotional well-being of the people they meet. Animal-assisted therapy is a therapeutic approach that uses trained animals in treatment plans to enhance physical, emotional and social well-being. Unlike service animals or emotional support animals, therapy animals assist multiple people in various settings under professional guidance. Documented since the late 18th century at the York Retreat in England, the practice has grown in healthcare and education due to its proven benefits.

The earliest documented instance dates back to the late 18th century when animals were introduced into mental health institutions to enhance social interaction among patients 3,4. Today, numerous programs worldwide incorporate animals to varying degrees in their services. These programs are particularly beneficial for individuals who have experienced trauma, including those diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, Alzheimer disease, autism, etc 4,5.

• Some people may be allergic to the animals that commonly play a role in therapy.
• Therapy animals are also very helpful in the rehabilitation of patients, especially in substance use disorder treatment facilities where trauma has been activated.
• In group therapy situations, therapy animals usually help “break the ice” and allow participants to be more open during such events.
• AAT is a therapeutic approach that uses animals to improve overall health and well-being.
• As always, collaborate with your mental health professional to select an animal-assisted modality that will provide the most benefit and lead to positive emotional progress.

What are the benefits of pet therapy?

Pet therapy is often a powerful and heartwarming way to support healing in people of all ages. Therapy animals can target a wide range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, autism spectrum disorders, and stress-related issues. They will provide comfort and support, which enables people to cope better with what they’re trying to overcome. Research on therapies involving human-animal interaction has focused on specific animals such as dogs, cats, or horses and specific populations such as those with autism 11. Dogs, in particular, are commonly preferred for therapy due to their exceptional bond with humans in modern times. Over thousands of years of shared evolutionary history 1, dogs have acquired adept socialization skills with humans through processes of domestication and natural selection.

How Does Pet Therapy Work?

If you’ve ever wondered what animal-assisted therapy is and how it can support well-being, read on to explore how it works and the wide range of benefits it offers. Some people may not enjoy animal therapy or have other reasons to avoid it, and they can choose from alternative therapies. People who do not respond well to animal therapy or are not interested in trying it may ask about other options.

How is pet therapy administered?

She says she often brought her therapy dog along on child abuse cases at Family Court. Kreinberg says her dog helped connect with children who lost trust in adults due Animal Therapy Benefits to abuse. Below are answers to some of the most common questions people have about how animal-assisted therapy works, who it helps and what to expect from sessions. Job requirements as well as the animal therapist salary can vary greatly depending on the location, type of employer and more. However, as of 2024, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that recreational therapists (which includes AAT therapy and the animal therapist salary) may make a median wage of $60,280. Proper pet handling must be discussed to ensure the safety of both the person receiving treatment and the pet.

• Evidence for animal assisted therapy appears strongest for markers of anxiety and depression in the widest range of people.
• A trained handler, often the pet’s owner, will take the animal to every meeting and work under your doctor or therapist’s direction to help you reach your goals.
• Animal therapy has many favorable outcomes, including relaxation, talk therapy breakthroughs, relief of symptoms, and overall improved well-being.
• The most common type of animal used for animal therapy is a dog but other animals can be a therapy animal, too.

The study conducted by Allen et al 22 focused on youths who had experienced abuse and were diagnosed with PTSD. The results revealed that the group receiving the intervention showed greater improvements in caregiver-reported symptoms of PTSD, internalizing concerns, and externalizing problems compared to the control group 22. In a study by Anderson and Brown 24 involving nursing students, the intervention group experienced interactions with dogs before testing. This interaction served as a stress reliever for the students, resulting in a decrease in anxiety as measured by the STAI. Thakkar et al 25 conducted a study on children who were undergoing dental assessments. The findings indicated that the intervention group showed a significantly greater anxiety reduction compared to the control group, as measured by the modified faces version of the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale.

Key Benefits of Animal-Assisted Therapy

Evidence for animal assisted therapy appears strongest for markers of anxiety and depression in the widest range of people. Organizations offering AAT might give participants a variety of animals to choose from by operating on a large farm or creating a type of petting zoo filled with AAT-approved animals. Ginex et al 29 conducted a study to explore the impact of a dog-assisted intervention on an inpatient surgical oncology unit. The study used a randomized controlled design, with patients in the intervention group receiving therapy 4 days per week throughout the study period. In contrast, the control group underwent physical therapy without any modifications to their normal routine. Patients in the intervention group reported a significant decrease in depression and anxiety levels, as measured by the PHQ-4, compared to the control group.

A typical animal-assisted therapy session lasts 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the therapeutic setting and individual needs. Shorter sessions of about 20 minutes have been shown to yield significant benefits in outpatient environments. Longer sessions, around 50 minutes, are common in structured counseling formats. To enter the field and become an animal-assisted therapist, individuals typically pursue a degree in psychology, social work or a related field, along with specialized training in AAT therapy. Certification programs teach proper animal handling, therapy techniques and ethical standards.

Horses generally provided people with a sense of trust and communication skills that they desperately needed during their treatment process. Therapy animals are also very helpful in the rehabilitation of patients, especially in substance use disorder treatment facilities where trauma has been activated. Such therapy animals provide unconditioned love and never-judging attitudes in a safe space for people to share their experiences and emotions. An increasingly common aspect of a school setting is therapy animals supporting students who experience emotional and behavioral challenges. Many schools have initiated therapy animal programs to assist students in managing stress, anxiety, and trauma. Some therapy animals are even social facilitators, meaning they can bring people into contact with others.

What Is Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT)?

They are trained to manage the animal, ensure its well-being, and facilitate interactions between the therapy animal and the people. Animal interaction science teaches that hours spent with therapy animals significantly decrease stress and anxiety levels. One research study by the Journal of Psychiatric Research found that patients with animal-assisted therapy had lower cortisol levels that measure stress than those who did not.

Students and Individuals in High-Stress Environments

The analysis included 16 studies that met the inclusion criteria and were deemed to be of moderate or higher quality. Among these studies, 4 demonstrated positive results for therapeutic mediation and one for supportive mediation in psychiatric disorders. Additionally, all studies showed positive outcomes for depression and neurological disorders. Regarding stress and anxiety, 3 studies indicated supportive mediation, while 2 studies showed activating mediation. Animal-assisted therapy continues to grow as a trusted approach to improving mental, emotional and physical health for people of all ages.