Types of Animal Therapies
Animals are incredibly emotionally intelligent creatures who can offer anyone some much-needed reprieve from the real world. They can also learn tasks and skills that can help people in need. If you are in search of a little bit of extra help, there are dogs and other animals that are specifically trained in various therapy techniques. This guide walks you through the various kinds of animal therapies and how they could potentially help improve your life:
Service Animals
Perhaps the most commonly recognized type of therapy pet, service animals are specifically trained to assist people with certain physical disabilities or illnesses. They can help with daily tasks, provide a little bit of assistance with physical movement, and can even recognize medical emergencies before they happen. Service animals can help people and children dealing with:
- PTSD
- Severe allergies
- Autism
- Diabetes
- Vision or hearing difficulties
- Mobility problems
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Seizures
If you or someone you know might benefit from a service animal, you can learn more about applying on this website.
Emotional Support Animals
Some people might be struggling with bouts of depression, anxiety, or other emotional issues that make it hard to get through the struggles of daily life. An animal can help navigate these hard times. Emotional support animals can assist with these emotional episodes and help their owners get some much-needed love and attention. Unlike service animals, emotional support animals are actual pets. This means that they are not allowed in all the places service animals can go, but they have a bit more freedom than regular pets. To get the official title of emotional support animal, you must have a licensed mental health professional prescribe them. While emotional support animals do not receive all the same accommodations as service animals, they can provide plenty of support.
Animals Assisting with Therapy
Sometimes therapists will have animals at their practice or hospital to improve a patient’s experience. Animals assisting with therapy are typically dogs and cats, but they can be of any species. Sometimes these animals are just there for a calming presence, but other times they are trained to assist with patients. Some dentists even have therapy pets to help people struggling with severe dental anxiety.
Therapy Visits
Sometimes an animal visitor can offer a therapeutic presence. Bringing your dog to see your friend in the hospital can count as a therapy visit. Pets have a calming effect that can help someone who is feeling lonely or frustrated with the healing process. If you are planning to bring your pet for a therapy visit (or want someone to bring one to you), be sure to check with the facility. You don’t want to bring the animal all the way to a new place only to find out that they are not allowed inside.
Whether you are benefiting from animal therapies or considering training and volunteering your pet to help others, we hope our guide to the types of animal therapies helped.
Whether you have a service animal or an emotional support animal, Oakland Veterinary Referral Services is here to offer them specialty veterinary care. Our impressive team of talented doctors and support staff can handle even the toughest cases. To learn more about our services, please call (248) 334-6877.
