With the English definition of pet therapywe refer to animal-assisted therapy and talk about a therapeutic approach it uses interaction with animals with the aim of improving people’s well-being and psychophysical health. While dogs are best known for taking part in these projects, there are various animals that can help people, such as cats, horses and even dolphins. Pet therapy has become particularly widespread in recent years and more and more people are relying on this solution to feel better.
Pet therapy and the benefits of being close to animals
Being in close contact with an animal not only brings benefits on a psychological level, but also physically and socially. First, pet therapy helps achieve a improvement of physical health, given that having a pet means being much more active, for example taking a dog for a walk or letting a horse run. As a result, you can improve blood circulation, reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels and stay fitter.
On the other hand, pet therapy is also used in rehabilitation contexts and for example, horses help people who have physical disabilities a lot, improving their balance, muscle strength and even coordination.
You also have several psychological improvements. In fact, having an animal with you helps reduce stress, depression and anxiety even simply by stroking its fur. This is due to the fact that in these contexts they go to release endorphins and serotoninas well as a hormone known more commonly as the cuddle hormone, which scientifically is called oxytocin.
Furthermore, having to take care of an animal inevitably leads to take action at home too, carrying out simple actions such as washing the bowls and filling them with water and food, tidying up the animal’s toys and taking care of its health to see it happy. These are fundamental activities, for example, for those suffering from depression, given that otherwise they would risk not carrying out even these small activities.
The animals are also great company for the elderly, who very often may find themselves having to spend a lot of time alone at home and who in this way, instead, can have excellent company. On the other hand it’s good even to children stay in contact with different animal species, so as to be able to grow as much as possible in harmony with nature.
Finally, pet therapy can also greatly improve health social and communication skills, given that when you leave home with an animal it is much easier to have interactions with other people. This way you can perhaps even make interesting acquaintances.
Animals can therefore provide invaluable companionship and comfort, contributing immensely to people’s well-being. And do you have one or more animals at home?
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