Krista Mifflin writes another great article on the healing power of our pets and outlines some of the positive impacts they have in our lives and our physical well-being. Enjoy!
The Healing Power of Pets ~ Pet Therapy
by Krista Mifflin
Source: About.com
Gaining recognition as a successful therapuetic program, Pet Therapy animals and handlers have been welcomed into hospitals and long-term care facilities all across North America. Health studies have shown how having a well-loved pet can lower a person's blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease, but what can they do for long-term patients?
• The soft touch of an animal can bring joy to a person who's lost a beloved pet. People in long-term care facilities have often gone a long time without a gentle touch.
• Animals are non-judgmental, forgiving of mistakes and offer unconditional love where a human being may not.
• Animals offer entertainment, a willing ear, and tend to increase social interaction.
• A patient who is in pain or can not speak will not feel pressured to interact with an animal.
• Animals accept the patient for what he or she is, and will not stare or ask awkward questions regarding any disabilities.
• Having an animal present can often focus a patient on itself rather than the patient's current infirmity.
• Pets help people to relax, thus lowering blood pressure.
Animal Assisted Therapy is a great way to become more active in your community as well as bringing joy to dozens of other people.
Showing posts with label animal assisted therapy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label animal assisted therapy. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
The Human-Animal Bond ~ How Pets Help Us
The following is another article I found which give a bit of a description on how pets, of all sorts, can help us bi-peds. Enjoy!
The Human-Animal Bond ~ How Pets Help Us
By Janet Tobiassen Crosby, DVM,
Source: About.com
We love our pets. That is why we have them, right? Did you know that there are actual health benefits for people living with pets? Studies have shown real health benefits - lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, reduced stress levels, and better mental health for those living with pets.
Pets require our attention. Going for a walk, dropping everything for a game of Frisbee or hide and seek, going on a trail ride, and providing the everyday pet care encourage owners interact and to get out. We benefit from the exercise and fresh air that we may not seek out on our own. This does wonders for our health and emotions.
In addition to being a major health benefit just for being a pet, pets also actively help and assist humans in many ways. Below are just some of the ways that pets are formally helping humans live richer and fuller lives.
Pet Therapy
Pet therapy is something I have been involved with since an early age, and I have witnessed the the health effects; both for those receiving therapy and those who bring in their animals to hospitals and nursing homes. To see a nursing home patient light up when they see you and your dog or cat (or other approved therapy species) come through the door is an unforgettable experience. It is not uncommon for the nursing staff to remark that the patient hasn't spoken for some time or only speaks to some people - yet totally relaxes, talks to, and interacts with your pet. A current trend in nursing homes is to adopt a cat or small dog to live in the facility. This is a wonderful experience for the residents on a daily basis.
Hospitals, and children's hospitals in particular, usually allow pet therapy visits too, with amazing benefits for the sick and terminally ill. There are also pet therapy animals helping autistic humans interact and live fuller lives.
To get involved in pet therapy, please refer to some of the links below. There are national and local organizations. It is best to be affiliated with a therapy organization, as there are health and temperament requirements that need to be met by the pet therapists before visiting health care facilities.
Horse Therapy
Horses and horse riding is also part of pet therapy. Riding horses teaches balance and flexibility to the handicapped, and gives a sense of accomplishment and companionship to those involved. Some programs are related to the care of horses as well, teaching responsibility and horsemanship skills.
Service Dogs
Dogs are amazingly adaptable to the needs of humans. Services provided by dogs for humans include: dogs that guide the blind, assist the deaf, assist the mobility-impaired, even alert epileptic owners that a seizure is imminent, so the owner can sit down/take their medications before the seizure strikes. Dogs can be trained to turn on/off lights, pick up objects, even pull wheel chairs for those who are handicapped.
Police and Search & Rescue Dogs
Police dogs serve as protection for officers, as well as sniffing out drugs, explosives, and other dangerous chemicals long before a human can. Search and Rescue dogs use their powerful sense of smell to locate people lost or injured.
The Human-Animal Bond ~ How Pets Help Us
By Janet Tobiassen Crosby, DVM,
Source: About.com
We love our pets. That is why we have them, right? Did you know that there are actual health benefits for people living with pets? Studies have shown real health benefits - lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, reduced stress levels, and better mental health for those living with pets.
Pets require our attention. Going for a walk, dropping everything for a game of Frisbee or hide and seek, going on a trail ride, and providing the everyday pet care encourage owners interact and to get out. We benefit from the exercise and fresh air that we may not seek out on our own. This does wonders for our health and emotions.
In addition to being a major health benefit just for being a pet, pets also actively help and assist humans in many ways. Below are just some of the ways that pets are formally helping humans live richer and fuller lives.
Pet Therapy
Pet therapy is something I have been involved with since an early age, and I have witnessed the the health effects; both for those receiving therapy and those who bring in their animals to hospitals and nursing homes. To see a nursing home patient light up when they see you and your dog or cat (or other approved therapy species) come through the door is an unforgettable experience. It is not uncommon for the nursing staff to remark that the patient hasn't spoken for some time or only speaks to some people - yet totally relaxes, talks to, and interacts with your pet. A current trend in nursing homes is to adopt a cat or small dog to live in the facility. This is a wonderful experience for the residents on a daily basis.
Hospitals, and children's hospitals in particular, usually allow pet therapy visits too, with amazing benefits for the sick and terminally ill. There are also pet therapy animals helping autistic humans interact and live fuller lives.
To get involved in pet therapy, please refer to some of the links below. There are national and local organizations. It is best to be affiliated with a therapy organization, as there are health and temperament requirements that need to be met by the pet therapists before visiting health care facilities.
Horse Therapy
Horses and horse riding is also part of pet therapy. Riding horses teaches balance and flexibility to the handicapped, and gives a sense of accomplishment and companionship to those involved. Some programs are related to the care of horses as well, teaching responsibility and horsemanship skills.
Service Dogs
Dogs are amazingly adaptable to the needs of humans. Services provided by dogs for humans include: dogs that guide the blind, assist the deaf, assist the mobility-impaired, even alert epileptic owners that a seizure is imminent, so the owner can sit down/take their medications before the seizure strikes. Dogs can be trained to turn on/off lights, pick up objects, even pull wheel chairs for those who are handicapped.
Police and Search & Rescue Dogs
Police dogs serve as protection for officers, as well as sniffing out drugs, explosives, and other dangerous chemicals long before a human can. Search and Rescue dogs use their powerful sense of smell to locate people lost or injured.
Monday, December 8, 2008
New week ~ new focus ... Animal Assisted Therapy
Pet Therapy was the main reason for beginning this whole journey ~ Therapy (pet therapy) in Transition (motion - going to a client's home/residence); as well the month of December holds a special place as it is the month of Tito's birthday, December 18th to be exact we are going to be focusing on animal therapy or pet therapy this week for topic of conversation. Enjoy!
Animal Assisted Therapy
by Krista Mifflin
Source: About.com
About Animal Assisted Therapy:
Animal Assisted Therapy is the use of therapy dogs and cats through structured organizations. Officially, dogs are certified and used to promote mental stimulation in patients requiring long-term care. The programs work closely with health care officials, often pairing up a single animal and handler to a patient.
Getting Started:
The very first step in getting started in Animal Assisted Therapy is to evaluate your dog's personality. Your dog must be confident, not hyper, and tolerant of surprising noises, and groping hands. A high tolerance to pain is also essential. Elderly people and young children may trip or stumble onto your dog, or may not be as gentle as they should be. A dog who will not tolerate these mishaps can easily lawsuit for the owner, facility, or organization.
Your dog must be friendly, to both complete strangers, and other animals. Others involved in Animal Assisted Therapy may also be present, and a dog who has a taste for cats will a be a large liability. Your dog must also be well-acclimatized to being passed around, left with a stranger, and touched continuously without preliminary greeting rituals.
While it is hoped that any patient you may end up with has been briefed accordingly in pet etiquette, it is also entirely possible that the patient will know nothing about approaching strange dogs.
Find an organization to join that is willing to help and work with you and your dog and has a program in place to certify your dog. Certification programs may vary, organization to organization, but the basic tenets should be identical (obedience training, Canine Good Citizen may be a required title). Check for liability insurance, and the overall reputation of the organization according to listed facilities.
Animal Assisted Therapy
by Krista Mifflin
Source: About.com
About Animal Assisted Therapy:
Animal Assisted Therapy is the use of therapy dogs and cats through structured organizations. Officially, dogs are certified and used to promote mental stimulation in patients requiring long-term care. The programs work closely with health care officials, often pairing up a single animal and handler to a patient.
Getting Started:
The very first step in getting started in Animal Assisted Therapy is to evaluate your dog's personality. Your dog must be confident, not hyper, and tolerant of surprising noises, and groping hands. A high tolerance to pain is also essential. Elderly people and young children may trip or stumble onto your dog, or may not be as gentle as they should be. A dog who will not tolerate these mishaps can easily lawsuit for the owner, facility, or organization.
Your dog must be friendly, to both complete strangers, and other animals. Others involved in Animal Assisted Therapy may also be present, and a dog who has a taste for cats will a be a large liability. Your dog must also be well-acclimatized to being passed around, left with a stranger, and touched continuously without preliminary greeting rituals.
While it is hoped that any patient you may end up with has been briefed accordingly in pet etiquette, it is also entirely possible that the patient will know nothing about approaching strange dogs.
Find an organization to join that is willing to help and work with you and your dog and has a program in place to certify your dog. Certification programs may vary, organization to organization, but the basic tenets should be identical (obedience training, Canine Good Citizen may be a required title). Check for liability insurance, and the overall reputation of the organization according to listed facilities.
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