While challenges remain in standardizing practices and ensuring ethical treatment of animals, AAT’s potential benefits for diverse populations are substantial, emphasizing the need for continued research and development in this promising field. Canine-assisted therapy uses trained dogs to support individuals with physical, emotional or cognitive challenges. does animal-assisted therapy work the pet-human bond These dogs offer comfort, reduce anxiety and promote social interaction in hospitals, schools and rehab centers, helping patients engage more fully in therapy.
7. Analysis
Reciprocity is one of the manifestations of pro-social behavior, it is a process of exchange where mutual benefit is sought. It implies that, if someone makes a concession to us, we are obliged to respond with another concession of our own. The socialization process plays an important role in the development of this need for reciprocity 28. The participants in this study formed a total sample of 114 people, they had a mean age of 14.9 (1.61), and 84.2% were girls. Of the sample, 45.6% came from Lleida, 27.2% came from Mataró, and the remaining 27.2% came from Madrid. A total of two one-hour group sessions were held at the hospitals’ own facilities, on a weekly basis and for two consecutive weeks.
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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. The results from the STAI for Children suggested that brief pet therapy visits served as a tool to decrease anxiety in children who were hospitalized and promote family satisfaction. McCullough et al 31 conducted a study where the intervention group participated in dog therapy, while the control group received standard care at the hospital. The findings demonstrated the applicability and effectiveness of AAT interventions in reducing stress and anxiety levels in patients with cancer. All 6 trials that focused on psychiatric disorders were categorized as AAT and involved interventions with dog therapy.
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Most notably, therapy animals must be properly trained and monitored to prevent stress or harm. Therapists should ensure informed consent, screen for allergies and maintain hygiene standards to safeguard both clients and animals. Individuals often feel more comfortable engaging with others when animals are present — which can improve communication and reduce feelings of isolation. Therapy with small animals like guinea pigs and rabbits offers a gentle, accessible form of animal-assisted therapy. Their calm nature and size make them ideal for schools, nursing homes and rehab centers as they help reduce anxiety while boosting social engagement and emotional well-being.
This consistent and rigorous approach enhances the confidence in the research paper’s results, underscoring the reliability of the reported biases and their impact on the study’s outcomes. Animal-assisted therapy, also known as pet therapy, is a therapeutic intervention that involves animals to enhance the well-being of individuals across various populations and settings. In the same study above-mentioned where participants were stressed over the thought of holding a tarantula, some were petting plush toy versions of rabbits or turtles, but this didn’t display the same effects on the human participants. The animals represent a distraction from other upsetting thoughts, whereas the plush toys don’t.
However, in a systematic review that analyzed several studies, there was a great variety of results regarding the duration of the interventions but it was lacking in results regarding the longevity of the beneficial effects of the interventions 40. Thus, our study could provide interesting data by discovering that with only two sessions, a bond with the animal has already been generated, as well as a positive perception in both the participants and the professionals. Animal-assisted therapy continues to grow as a trusted approach to improving mental, emotional and physical health for people of all ages. From dogs to farm animals, AAT therapy provides meaningful support across healthcare, education and community settings. Animal-assisted therapy programs in educational settings have been shown to enhance overall well-being among students by reducing stress and anxiety.
To answer this question, I recently surveyed the research literature on the effectiveness of AAT. Especially for clients who are depressed, immobilized, or in pain, having an animal to care for can be beneficial. Subtle biological and physiological exchanges with animals help regulate the nervous system. Enhancing clients’ social connections and relationships with animals increases the love hormone (oxytocin) and provides numerous other benefits. The results obtained make it possible to affirm that after two AAT sessions, a positive perception of the dog was generated, achieving a good level of bonding and attachment.
- Finally, it is not known whether the positive effects were sustained beyond the period studied, to what extent, or for how long after the activity.
- At the global level, the International Association of Human-Animal Interaction is the worldwide consortium of organizations involved in the practice, research, or education of AAT and the training of service animals 36.
- We provide accessible resources covering topics such as anxiety, depression, relationships, and personal growth.
- In the past 50 years, the field of human-animal interaction and, specifically, animal-assisted therapy (AAT) has made significant advancements and progress.
Other pets like fish and bearded dragons are also included in some variations of pet therapy, and studies show they’re equally beneficial for the patients. In recent years, rates of mental disorders have increased in childhood and adolescence, including common mental disorders such as schizophrenia and mania, addictions, suicidal behavior, and personality disorders 19. In addition, it is evident that the presence of child and adolescent mental health problems can lead to increased economic, social, or healthcare costs. Mental disorders in young people have a high percentage of persistence and chronicity into adulthood 19. Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) is effective in reducing anxiety symptoms by providing calming interactions and emotional support.
Amazingly, all 28 of the studies reported that interacting with therapy animals produced beneficial results. More recently, neuroscientist Lori Marino, the executive director of the Kimmela Center for Animal Advocacy, found that 26 of 28 AAT studies published between 2005 and 2011 reported positive outcomes in patients undergoing animal therapy (here). In the past decade there has been a great interest in research on human–animal interactions (HAI) 5,6. Several studies about HAI on topics ranging from AAI in special populations, the range of experiences that children have with pets, and the growing university infrastructure supporting HAI research have been published 7. Likewise, the connection between human–animal health, and the unique and enduring bond between dogs and humans, is attracting significant attention in different disciplines, with a focus on the concept of the human–animal bond (HAB) 8. In conclusion, the reviewed studies provide preliminary evidence of the potential benefits of AAT in certain conditions.
- The effectiveness of AAT will strongly depend on the human–animal bond (HAB) between the patient and the animal.
- Our research aims to contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of animals in therapeutic contexts and to explore the specific contexts in which these interventions are most effective.
- Deep experiences of love, care, and co-regulation occur both among humans and between humans and various animal species.
- However, despite these guidelines, there is no legal requirement for health care facilities to adopt these measures.
- But ultimately, when it comes to animal-assisted therapy, most of the studies point at the human-animal bond as the key factor to achieve the positive effects.
Reduced Stress and Anxiety
Our review was based on a limited number of studies, which can be attributed to our strict inclusion criteria and the presence of suboptimal study designs. Specifically, many of the randomized trials were characterized by small sample sizes, short durations, and a lack of follow-up assessments. Another limitation pertains to the suitability of the outcome measures used, which may not fully capture the important values and impacts as perceived by the participants.
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Among these studies, 5 were conducted using a randomized controlled design, while 1 study used a time series design with randomized daily announcements within a pre-post experimental framework. One study specifically examined patients in child and adolescent psychiatry 33, while the remaining 5 studies focused on adult psychiatry patients 5,20,21,23,27. The duration of the AAT programs varied, with some studies consisting of 12-week programs in different settings, while 2 studies provided weekly therapy sessions without specifying the intervention period 5,27. The inclusion of animals in psychological treatment is not a recent or uncommon practice. Throughout history, there has been an understanding of the positive impact animals can have on human well-being 1. This connection between humans and animals is deeply ingrained in our collective subconscious, influencing our emotional experiences 2.
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However, our results show that the HAB established during the AAT sessions is not neutral and there is a high agreement with the different statements of the CSAWPBS test, indicating a globally positive HAB. The Center for the Study of Animal Wellness Pet Bonding Scale (CSAWPBS) version validated in Spanish was filled out by the participants themselves after the intervention. This section collects any data citations, data availability statements, or supplementary materials included in this article. It’s almost as if life itself is inviting us to embrace difficulty—not as punishment but as a design feature. Vicodin or Morphine are opioid pain medication that also bind and activate opioid receptors.
Researchers showed with this experiment that the animal-human bond was important to get the positive effects, and not only the fact of petting something fluffy or soft, or animal-looking. Dogs are the most popular pets in animal-assisted therapy programs, but the benefits derived from this kind of therapy are seen with other animals. Playing and petting a dog is nice, but therapies with crickets or animal farms showed that people improved their focus and mood by looking after these animals.
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After all, we know that social interactions have great benefits on the overall mental health. In a study published in 2003, 58 people without clinical diagnoses were told that they might be asked to hold a tarantula sitting elsewhere in the room. Even though they never actually had to hold the tarantula, the thought of it was enough to elevate their stress levels. Some participants were left in the room, mulling it over, while petting a soft, fluffy rabbit, whereas others were left in the same situation but petting a hard-shelled turtle.
The effects of the pet therapy are measurable, as seen by an increase in the release of endorphins in the person interacting with the animal. Endorphins bind to and activate opioid receptors in the nervous system, acting like painkillers and producing euphoria. Unfortunately, when it comes to animal-assisted therapy studies, two problems loom large. Integrating somatic experiencing and attachment theory into equine-facilitated trauma recovery. Oxytocin is called “the love hormone” because it is released in response to birthing and lactation. It stimulates contractions, aids in mother-child bonding, and drives a neurohormone response to attachment behaviors.
