Animal Therapy For Pets Promoting Good Health

by yuko_ppp2501 under CC BY  with wpseopix.com

Animal Therapy – Pets Promote Good Health

.

Animal Therapy is recognized worldwide as a good health solution. When pets are around, patients not only heal more quickly, but they find a renewed zest for life. Depression can be helped, and in all cases, quality of life is dramatically improved from interaction with animals.

Therapy pets are often dogs, but can also be cats. Dogs are very popular because they interact and show appreciation for attention. But some people prefer a less active pet, like a cat, to simply sit while they pet it. Animals are taken into some hospitals, homes and clinics to regularly visit elderly and incapacitated patients. But at home, a pet can be a great addition to a healthier life.

Just Two of Many Good Reasons For Animal Therapy

Mental Stimulation – Mental stimulation occurs because of increased communication with other people, recalled memories, and the entertainment provided by the animals. In situations that are depressing or institutional, the presence of the animals serves to brighten the atmosphere, increasing amusement, laughter, and play. These positive distractions may help to decrease people’s feelings of isolation or alienation.

Physical Contact and Touch – It is well established that touch is very important for the nourishment of our mind and spirit. Infants who are not touched do not develop healthy relationships with other people and often fail to thrive and grow physically. For some people, touch from another person is not acceptable, but the warm, furry touch of a dog or cat is. In hospitals, where most touch is painful or invasive, the touch of an animal is safe, non-threatening, and pleasant. There are a number of programs for people who have been physically or sexually abused in which staff and volunteers are not allowed to touch the clients. In cases like these, having an animal to hold, hug, and touch can make a world of difference to people who would otherwise have no positive, appropriate physical contact.

Source: Holisticonline.com – Pet Therapy Benefits

The secret is to choose the correct pet for your lifestyle and recognize the amount of time you have to devote to a pet. For instance, if you get a highly energetic dog and you live in a small apartment that pet will cause you more stress. Pets are great company, and being needed – by your pet, fulfills a definite requirement of being a human being. If you choose correctly your life will improve and therefore your health will be better.

Pets for patients can not only be spiritually stimulating, but they encourage physical movement when they are petted. They also distract those in ill health from pain. Animals lower blood pressure and anxiety conditions as well as give people hope for a better life. Having a good reason to stay healthy and live longer can be half the battle won. Interacting with animals not only exercises the mind, it is good for the spirit.

Your next “Medical Prescription” might be for a pet!

Animal Therapy Related Items For Sale

[phpbay]Pet Therapy, 10, “”, “”[/phpbay]

Animal Therapy: Using Pets To Promote Good Health related articles from the blogosphere…

No Place Like Home

Dogs have a magical capacity to satisfy the longing for home in all of us. When a dog comes into a hospital environment, he can turn it instantly into a warm, playful and fun place, instead of a cold, clinical or frightening place. Sydel and her Dobe…

Toby the Pet Therapy Dog and His Hospital Friends

vegbooks.org3/16/12

Animals used for therapeutic services are seen all over the American landscape, but their presence in children's literature is just now making its foray. After chronicling her struggles with the real-life Toby (read: destructive, …

Ron's Road 2 Recovery: A Little Pet Therapy

ronsroad2recovery.blogspot.com3/19/12

A Little Pet Therapy. Ron spends a lot of time on the couch. It is cozy and warm in our front room, thanks to a gas fireplace. Toby always is nearby, giving him love and encouragement. Good dog! Many clinics, hospitals and …

Pets and PTSD

Although animal therapy has long been used to treat physical disabilities, it is now being used more frequently to treat psychological complications such as PTSD and other combat related stress. According to Igor Purlantov the use of animal therapy to treat PTSD has shown some very promising results with more than 80% of patients reporting reduced symptoms of PTSD thanks to animal therapy.

Source: Treating PTSD with Animal Therapy Becoming More Popular Says …

news.topwirenews.com2/25/12

EINPresswire.com/ Animal Therapy Expected to Help Increasing Number of Soldiers Returning from Combat With an increased number of military personnel returning.

Technorati Tags : animals being patients health