| Who could dispute that animals can have a | | | | Dogs are aware of illness and sadness and |
| positive effect on emotional well-being? With | | | | genuinely want to provide companionship and |
| research being conducted into the field of | | | | comfort; they show an abundance of |
| alternative medicine on an on-going basis, | | | | intelligence and are both intuitive and |
| more and more people are beginning to realize | | | | compassionate. Any dog owner will relate and |
| the cathartic effects that animals are having | | | | agree with me when I say that it is a warm |
| on individuals well-being, especially so in | | | | feeling when their dog can detect their |
| those patients suffering with depression. | | | | sorrow and lick their tears away. |
| | | | |
| While some people recover from depression | | | | Pet Therapy can facilitate many positive |
| using medications alone, there are many | | | | changes one such example being increased |
| others, who would prefer to use a combination | | | | socialization skills. Animals can be used as |
| of alternative therapies to try to alleviate | | | | part of group therapy programs to encourage |
| the symptoms of depression. One of these | | | | communication and increase the ability to |
| treatments being studied is 'Pet Therapy', | | | | focus. |
| but what is this alternative and how could it | | | | |
| help? | | | | Helping to develop a person's self-esteem and |
| | | | reducing their loneliness and anxiety are |
| Many scientists have spent endless hours | | | | just some potential benefits of |
| looking into the different types of therapy | | | | individual-animal therapy. |
| available for treating depression as an | | | | |
| illness; 'Pet Therapy' has been concluded as | | | | The bond between humans and animals is |
| one of these therapies. Animals have long | | | | demonstrated every day in millions of homes |
| been recognized as being a positive force in | | | | around the world. It is also becoming a |
| the healing process. | | | | powerful, common mode of therapy in many |
| | | | facilities such as hospitals, schools and |
| Dogs notably have a calming and therapeutic | | | | residential homes. |
| effect on people. They can help individuals | | | | |
| to cope with the emotional issues related to | | | | While it is difficult to measure and quantify |
| their illness. They also offer physical | | | | the benefits of dog therapy with hard |
| contact with another living creature and help | | | | scientific fact, there is no question that |
| to divert a person's attention from their | | | | the magical interaction possible between |
| pressing daily problems. | | | | animal and human is unmistakable. |
| | | | |
| Owning a dog brings about a sense of | | | | Tears can be dried. Scowls transform into |
| responsibility. Dogs rely on their owners for | | | | smiles. Silence is broken and lastly but not |
| feeding, walking, attention and love. What | | | | least importantly loneliness and isolation |
| better excuse for a depressed person to get | | | | can be ejected from a person through mere |
| out of bed in the morning? | | | | touch and cuddles. |
| | | | |
| Dogs love almost everyone without any degree | | | | Dogs offer their owner's absolute and |
| of prejudice or rejection. You do not need to | | | | unconditional love and a level of boundless |
| speak any type of language to communicate | | | | patience that no human could ever possibly |
| with a four-legged friend. Give them a treat, | | | | give. The love of a dog is unlimited, what |
| tickle their tummy and they will love you | | | | better form of alternative therapy could |
| without bounds. | | | | there be? |
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