Pet Therapy helps people feel better - emotionally and physically.
Emotionally: Animals help lift a person's mood. They give people something to focus on outside of themselves.
People who are sick, lonely, feeling down and even depressed will often respond to an animal offering genuine affection and unconditional love. Responses might include smiles, eye-contact, physical touch (reaching out, petting and stroking), and communication.
Severely sick or depressed individuals may also show increased awareness, attention span and interest in the world around them.
Physically: Touching and interacting with animals can help lower a person's blood pressure and provide stress relief. People with pets also have longer life spans and suffer from less depression.
What makes Pet Therapy work?
These animals are non-threatening, non-judgemental.
They don't expect anything.
There is no pressure on the person to do or say anything.
The animals are quiet but friendly.
What exactly do the animals do?
They are present.
They accept and are open to whoever the person is and whatever that person needs.
It is as if the animal says, "Here I am".
Pet Selection
What animals are used for Pet Therapy?
While all different kinds of animals can do Pet Therapy (including horses, cats, birds, rabbits, ferrets, and others) dogs are most frequently used.
Pet Therapy dogs can be full pedigree or mixed breed. They can be almost any size. Some were purchased from pet stores or breeders while others were adopted as pets from local shelters. Some were rescued from bad or dangerous situations (such as the greyhounds).
The main thing in common Pet Therapy animals share is that they belong to interested owners/handlers who volunteer their time and service to help others.
What are some characteristics of a Pet Therapy animal?
Judy Stein's class suggests the following good qualities:
- calm
- loving
- obedient and well behaved
- people-friendly and good with strangers
- good with other animals
- able to be in a crowd and not react to loud noises
- clean
- gentle but strong
- not a jumper
