Animal Therapy for Depression
by Samantha
Weaver
zone3
Who could dispute that animals can have a positive effect on emotional
well-being? With research being conducted into the field of alternative
medicine on an on-going basis, more and more people are beginning to
realize the cathartic effects that animals are having on individuals
well-being, especially so in those patients suffering with depression.
While some people recover from depression using medications alone,
there are many others, who would prefer to use a combination of
alternative therapies to try to alleviate the symptoms of depression. One
of these treatments being studied is ‘Pet Therapy’, but what is this
alternative and how could it help?
Many scientists have spent endless hours looking into the different
types of therapy available for treating depression as an illness; ‘Pet
Therapy’ has been concluded as one of these therapies. Animals have long
been recognized as being a positive force in the healing process.
Dogs notably have a calming and therapeutic effect on people. They can
help individuals to cope with the emotional issues related to their
illness. They also offer physical contact with another living creature and
help to divert a person's attention from their pressing daily problems.
Owning a dog brings about a sense of responsibility. Dogs rely on their
owners for feeding, walking, attention and love. What better excuse for a
depressed person to get out of bed in the morning?
Dogs love almost everyone without any degree of prejudice or rejection.
You do not need to speak any type of language to communicate with a
four-legged friend. Give them a treat, tickle their tummy and they will
love you without bounds. Dogs are aware of illness and sadness and
genuinely want to provide companionship and comfort; they show an
abundance of intelligence and are both intuitive and compassionate. Any
dog owner will relate and agree with me when I say that it is a warm
feeling when their dog can detect their sorrow and lick their tears
away.
Pet Therapy can facilitate many positive changes one such example being
increased socialization skills. Animals can be used as part of group
therapy programs to encourage communication and increase the ability to
focus. Helping to develop a person’s self-esteem and reducing their
loneliness and anxiety are just some potential benefits of
individual-animal therapy.
The bond between humans and animals is demonstrated every day in
millions of homes around the world. It is also becoming a powerful, common
mode of therapy in many facilities such as hospitals, schools and
residential homes.
While it is difficult to measure and quantify the benefits of dog
therapy with hard scientific fact, there is no question that the magical
interaction possible between animal and human is unmistakable. Tears can
be dried. Scowls transform into smiles. Silence is broken and lastly but
not least importantly loneliness and isolation can be ejected from a
person through mere touch and cuddles. Dogs offer their owner’s absolute
and unconditional love and a level of boundless patience that no human
could ever possibly give. The love of a dog is unlimited, what better form
of alternative therapy could there be?
Author reserves all rights to this work.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Samantha Weaver is Author of Saving Samantha: A Young Woman's Escape
from Childhood Hell. (ISBN 1401910300) Due for release 17/04/06. Find out
more at http://www.samanthaweaver.com/
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