ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY:

Edited by, SNEHA MAVIS

     Animal therapy also known as pet therapy, is the use of animals to help people cope with and recover from certain physical and mental health conditions. It is used to enhance and complement the benefits of traditional therapy.

    A meta-analysis of 49 studies reporting on animal assisted therapy discovered positive outcomes and overall improvement in emotional well-being in those with Autism, medical conditions or behavioral issues. Another review of randomised controlled trials discovered that animal assisted therapy can be beneficial for people suffering from illnesses such as depression, Schizophrenia or addiction.

       Animals can provide a sense of calm, comfort, or safety, as well

as divert attention away from a stressful situation and toward one that is pleasurable. According to pioneers of animal assisted therapy, bonding with an animal can help people better develop a sense of self-worth and trust, regulate their emotions and improve their communication, self-regulation and socialization skills.

    A research was conducted on what happens to the body of a person when he is friendly with a dog. The outcome insisted the following 

💙 Blood pressure was reduced

💙 Heart Rate slowed down 

💙 Breathing became regular

💙 Muscle tension relaxed

    Studies around pets and mental health show that petting and playing with animals reduces stress-related hormones. And these benefits can occur after just five minutes of interacting with a pet.

    Therefore, pets are very helpful for anxiety sufferers. Our serotonin and dopamine levels rise when we play with a dog or cat. These are hormones that help the nervous system relax and quiet down.