Furthermore, dogs are capable of forming intricate attachment relationships with humans, resembling the bonds found in relationships between infants and caregivers 16. Research suggests that among the various animals involved in AAT, dogs tend to exhibit superior interactions with people compared to other species, benefiting both children and adults 6. This systematic review and meta-analysis sheds light on the potential of animal-assisted interventions to enhance overall well-being and health.
Table 4.
Animals become the patient’s social partner, and for some people with psychiatric disorders it was does animal-assisted therapy work the pet-human bond also extremely positive to see themselves as the care givers, for a change. During final exams, they were offering students a “puppy room.” If students were feeling anxious or overwhelmed by finals, they could go to this room and relieve some of that stress petting and playing with cute puppies. I immediately felt jealous that such program was not implemented in my days as a grad student there. But I was happy to read that students’ mental health was being acknowledged and supported in this way. The idea that interacting with animals can heal our broken minds and bodies is certainly appealing, particularly for those of us who love pets. But is there a mismatch between the media coverage of AAT and the evidence that these therapies actually work?
It suggests that dog-assisted therapy can have minor to moderate effects in treating psychiatric disorders, cognitive disorders, neurological disorders, etc, and demonstrates potential in various medical interventions. However, it is important to note that some of the outcome measures analyzed did not show significant effects, and further research is needed to better understand the specific contexts and conditions. To foster the growth of such therapy, we need education campaigns, research programs, professional support, and media awareness to increase the effectiveness of AAT across different countries.
Participation was offered to all of the patients admitted to the units participating in the study and who met all the inclusion criteria and none of the exclusion criteria. The adolescents and their legal guardians were previously informed, were given the information sheet, and, if they accepted, were asked to sign the informed consent forms. Below are answers to some of the most common questions people have about how animal-assisted therapy works, who it helps and what to expect from sessions.
- Each technician lives with his/her therapy dogs in order to promote the bond between the professional guide for the animal and the dog itself.
- The bond generated between the participants and the dog during the intervention was high, with a total CSAWPBS scale score of 56.4 (18.1), which means “usually true”.
- Individuals often feel more comfortable engaging with others when animals are present — which can improve communication and reduce feelings of isolation.
- It stimulates contractions, aids in mother-child bonding, and drives a neurohormone response to attachment behaviors.
National Pet Day: The Best Gifts and Treats for Your Emotional Support Animal (ESA) and Service Dog
You’ll also need to be prepared to present a letter to airlines and property managers from a licensed mental health professional stating that you are emotionally disabled and that he/she prescribes for you an emotional support animal. Counselling Collective is a platform dedicated to empowering individuals with knowledge and insights from psychology. Our team of professionals brings expertise from reputable institutions, ensuring reliable and insightful information. We provide accessible resources covering topics such as anxiety, depression, relationships, and personal growth. Students in psychology and psychotherapy can access valuable study materials and articles to enhance their academic journey. Animal-assisted therapy can boost physical activity by encouraging movement through walking, grooming or playing with animals.
Patients in Medical or Rehabilitation Settings
On the other hand, the qualitative research included in the review exhibited higher overall quality and contributed valuable insights to our findings. You may think that this kind of therapy can only work on animal lovers, but several studies have demonstrated that people who report to feel neutral about pets also benefit from these interactions. Animals offer a non-pharmaceutical option for self-regulation, attachment, dissociation, phobias, and even suicidality.
SERVICE DOG VS. EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL
The connection between humans and animals is deeply rooted in science and psychology—and it’s far more than just affection. In this article, we explore the fascinating world of the human-animal bond, including how emotional support animals (ESAs), service dogs, and therapy pets can transform lives, especially for individuals facing mental health challenges. Animal-assisted therapy provides children and adolescents with emotional support, plus reduces anxiety and enhances social skills. Interacting with therapy animals can help young individuals develop empathy, communication skills and confidence.
The intervention included six therapy dogs, selected for having a suitable character and appropriate aptitudes, with a calm, docile, and obedient temperament, and a training that enriched the sessions. Specifically, two golden retrievers (one male and one female), one male labradoodle, and three mixed-breed dogs weighing 19–25 kg (one male and two females) participated, averaging 4 years of age. AAT provides valuable support for individuals with PTSD by promoting emotional regulation and reducing symptoms of hyperarousal through structured animal interactions that encourage a sense of safety and trust. While the benefits of animal-assisted therapy are well-documented, it’s crucial to acknowledge potential risks and ethical considerations as well.
In 5 of the studies, the therapy sessions lasted between minutes, while 1 study did not specify the duration of the intervention period. Research on therapies involving human-animal interaction has focused on specific animals such as dogs, cats, or horses and specific populations such as those with autism 11. Dogs, in particular, are commonly preferred for therapy due to their exceptional bond with humans in modern times. Over thousands of years of shared evolutionary history 1, dogs have acquired adept socialization skills with humans through processes of domestication and natural selection. They have become our loyal companions, developing unique social skills for interacting with humans 12. For instance, studies indicate that dogs possess a sensitivity to our emotional states 13 and can interpret our social cues 14, even engaging in sophisticated communication through behaviors like gaze alternation 15.
- Students in psychology and psychotherapy can access valuable study materials and articles to enhance their academic journey.
- The interactions with the animals were reported to have a soothing effect and helped individuals cope with their challenges and emotional difficulties.
- Integrating somatic experiencing and attachment theory into equine-facilitated trauma recovery.
- AAT provides valuable support for individuals with PTSD by promoting emotional regulation and reducing symptoms of hyperarousal through structured animal interactions that encourage a sense of safety and trust.
- In the studies conducted by Hinic et al 28 and Branson et al 32, dog therapy was provided to children who were hospitalized, and their anxiety levels were assessed before and after the intervention.
Socializing Your Service Dog: Fostering Canine Companionship Success
Dogs make your nervous system release its own endorphins, so the body experience less undesired effects than medication. Every now and then I receive the newsletter from my alma mater to inform me about new programs, activities, and in general, make me feel like I’m still part of the family and under consideration. Since I’m a few thousands of miles away, I don’t pay much attention, as the most likely scenario is that I won’t be able to make it to whatever event they’re inviting me to across the pond.
The bond generated between the participants and the dog during the intervention was high, with a total CSAWPBS scale score of 56.4 (18.1), which means “usually true”. When the bond is assessed by subscales, unconditional acceptance is the factor that had the most influence on the bond with a value of 1.61 (0.55), which translates to “always true” and represents maximum acceptance. Under these conditions, we do not feel the need to adapt to an external expectation of how we should be. In this sense, the dog does not criticize, accepting the participants without discriminating against anyone, and does not judge 10,27 fundamental aspects that help us to feel accepted. In view of the above, the objectives of this study were to assess acute psychiatric children and adolescents’ perception of the dog’s presence and the degree of attachment with the dog after a short period of time (14 days) with only two sessions.
However, as of 2024, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that recreational therapists (which includes AAT therapy and the animal therapist salary) may make a median wage of $60,280. For an excellent guide to designing qualitative and quantitative studies related to AAT, see this paper by Stern and Chur-Hansen. Share this article to raise awareness and help others discover the healing power of animals. No specific training is required, but basic obedience is highly recommended for a better experience. The data presented in this study are available on request from the corresponding author. First of all, it is important to highlight that there is not a well-defined cutoff point related to a positive HAB, so further research regarding this topic should be performed.
Animal-assisted therapy provides emotional comfort and companionship, helping individuals feel less isolated and more supported. The calming presence of animals can ease emotional distress and create a sense of connection during treatment or recovery. To determine the specific contexts in which AATs are effective, we classified the interventions into three categories. First, “supportive mediation” involves AATs providing emotional and psychological support to individuals.
