5 Ways Our Furry Friends Offer a Range of Therapeutic Benefits
Author: Dr. Heather Bennett
Have you ever wondered why so many individuals and families choose to adopt and care for a pet of some sort? Let’s face it, being a pet owner is a lot of work! They are a huge responsibility, they make messes and often destroy our valuables at some point in their lives. They can cost a lot of money and require a lot of attention and care, in some cases as much attention and care as a child can require. Yet, where ever we turn, we see people walking their dogs, driving cars with bumper stickers of their pets, and dog’s heads with mouth wide open hanging out the car window. We meet people who own beautiful birds who actually may outlive them, we visit homes full of cages for hamsters, guinea pigs, and rabbits, or tanks full of beautiful fish. We hear about the amazing bond between horses and humans. I’ve even seen someone walking around downtown Chicago with a pet pig!
So what is it about the power of having a pet that drives so many of us to bypass all these challenges and seek out a companion animal of our own?
Although science is now able to actually identify several of the reasons why we experience therapeutic rewards when in the presence of animals (see short video at the bottom of the article), the origins of intentional animal assisted interventions in mental health date all the way back to the 1600s. Long before we understood the neuroscience behind the human-animal connection, we knew that companion animals offered tremendous support.
Listed below are 5 therapeutic benefits to animal assisted intervention and owning a companion pet along with some of research that supports it:
1.) Enhance social development of children, including the development of empathy
Owning a pet has been found to enhance self-esteem in children and aid in their cognitive development (1, 2). Through their non-judgmental, empathetic relationships animals can provide children with a strong foundation to develop empathy themselves (3). Additionally, children who own pets are more likely to be involved in activities such as sports, clubs, and even chores!
2.) Encourage mindfulness in their human companions and improve physical health
Animals are only capable of living in the present- they are not capable of thinking about the past or worrying about what is to come in the future. As we build a bond with animals, we activate what are called mirror neurons in our brain. These neurons allow us to imitate behaviors and, as we spend time with animals, we begin to join our animals in a state of mindfulness and embrace the current moment. In addition to mindfulness and mental health, research has found that pet owners have fewer minor health problems and better overall health (4, 5).
3.) Reduce aggression in children
Animal assisted therapy has been found to have a positive impact on reducing the aggression levels of children, especially boys (10). Children who are exposed to pets have been found to have increased coping abilities, more regulated behavior, and overall better psychological well-being (5, 7, 8, 9). Furthermore, autistic children who are exposed to pets have been found to express more prosocial behaviors (caring, helping, sharing) and less autistic behaviors (6).
4.) Reduce anxiety and depression
In one study, 70% of families reported an increase in family happiness and fun following acquiring a pet (11). Other research has noted that pet ownership helps children cope better with death, serious illness of a parent, as well as stress levels during the child’s own physical examination (12, 13, 14). It has also been found that seniors who own pets cope better with stressful life events without entering the healthcare system (15). Owning a pet or utilizing animal assisted therapy/interventions can provide additional support in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.
5.) Reduce feelings of loneliness
Companion animals fulfill many of the same support functions as humans for adults and children, thus reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation (16, 17). Research has shown that having pets in nursing homes increases social and verbal interactions in addition to other therapies (18). Also, animal assisted interventions can effectively reduce loneliness of those in long-term care facilities (19).
In summary, animals have had a long history of providing a range of therapeutic rewards to their human companions. As we embrace the unconditional companionship and non-judgmental, empathic response within the human-animal bond, we continue to learn more and more about their longstanding benefits. Below is a link to a short video where a neuroscientist explains how puppies can actually trick your brain and activate reward and attachment cerebral activity to help you feel more connected to others, less stressed out, and experience an increased capacity to cope. Bottom line, spending time with animals has a lot of benefits!
https://www.inverse.com/article/52411-why-pet-owners-are-healthier-than-those-without
Book recommendations:
How Dogs Love Us: The Neuroscientist and His Adopted Dog Decode the Canine Brain by Gregory Berns
Made for Each Other by Meg Daley Olmert
The story of Beluga, Shared Vision’s own Therapy Dog, & Dr. Bennett:
I grew up with a dog and cat in our home. They were considered to be a part of our family. My dog was an all-white Schnoodle (schnauzer-poodle mix) named Spot. My father named him, and although he did not have a single spot, my father believed every child needs to grow up with a dog named Spot. Spotty quickly became an integral part of our family and for 11 years of my childhood, he was more than a best friend. I have so many wonderful memories of him by my side. He always seemed to understand exactly how I was feeling and what I was thinking, whether mad or sad, happy or curious, he was there to join me in my experience. It felt like he just “got me,” when it seemed no one else could understood. And that loyal friend day after day helped me through a lot of ups and downs and growing pains. Rusty was my cat. I got him for Christmas when I was 8 yrs old. He was a red tabby who he slept above my head every night until I left home for college. He kept me feeling safe and comforted through the nights. We had a special bond as well.
Fast forward to 2015 when I adopted Beluga, my Twoodle, a hybred of two hybreds (golden-doodle & schnoodle mix), and I incorporated animal assisted intervention into my work as a psychologist. Witnessing the benefits of animal-assisted therapeutic intervention time and time again is awe-inspiring. Beluga went through a series of different trainings to ensure he was suited for the therapeutic setting, however none of those trainings taught him what he already knew. It is his natural instinct to want to please, to comfort, to soothe, to engage in play and overall to attune to the emotional needs of each individual who entered our therapeutic setting that continues to amaze me.
