Finding a Companion With a Pet Therapy
What is Pet Therapy?
Pet therapy is interacting with animals to help improve physical and mental issues. The purpose of pet therapy is to help someone cope with health problems or a mental disorder. It can also help lower stress levels, lower blood pressure and even help improve social skills. Cuddling fluffy animals can also reduce loneliness and boost your mood. There are many great benefits to pet therapy.
Examples of pet therapy include taking a dog for a walk to help increase your physical activities to stoking and cuddling a cat to decrease your stress levels. The type of animal chosen for your pet therapy will depend on your therapeutic goals.
Autism
Pet therapy will vary depending on the person’s condition and goals. Looking more specifically at pet therapy for autism can bring the client joy and happiness. They can also develop sensory, communication and social skills when playing with the pets. Pet therapy for autism has the ability to teach routines and structures. Ultimately, it helps people engage in community interaction.
Dementia
Interacting with animals can be helpful for people living with dementia. Pet therapy for dementia can help increase prosocial behaviour and reduce behavioural disturbances. It can also remove some of the anger and frustration for those living with dementia as the condition progresses. Anxiety symptoms can decrease whilst more positive emotions are displayed when playing and exercising with pets.
Mental Health
Petting, walking and caring for an animal can help people cope with mental health issues. Pet therapy for mental health issues can provide motivation to engage in social interactions and functional issues. Reducing stress and boosting moods are also contributing factors to pet therapy.
Benefits
The benefits of pet therapy for aged care and people living with disabilities include:
- Reducing anxiety
- Increasing physical activity
- Increasing communication
- Improving social skills
- Decreasing loneliness
- Decreasing depression
- Reducing stress
Contact us today if you wish to book pet therapy services. There are so many benefits to pet therapy and we will work with you to ensure it meets your personal needs.