WHAT COULD AN ANIMAL OFFER YOU -Literary Synthesis

Is stress pounding at your door, demanding you let it in? We live in a world with increased demands socially, mentally, and spiritually. When life becomes too overwhelming, could Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) benefit you?

AAT is catching on in psychotherapy as more hospitals and therapy centers are adopting the AAT approach. Animals offer support and companionship to humans with a connection of nurturing and loyalty. Ownership of animals moves humans into a field of responsibilities and social groups that benefit humans and animals (Policay and Falconier, 2019).

AAT is a therapy that uses animals to improve a person's mental health. Animals have reduced human blood pressure, decreased pain, improved heart health, and decreased medication needs. Humans using ATT tend to be active as they care for their pet and take it on walks or other forms of physical engagement (Klimova et al., (2019).

AAT has increased in availability in universities. Students are under lots of stress financially, socially, and mentally. As they participate in ATT, they have shown a decrease in anxiety and an improvement in well-being.

If you find yourself socially or mentally stressed, what could AAT do for you? One does not have to own a therapy pet to reap its benefits. Check with your local pet therapy chapters and mental health clinics to start feeling the healing power of an animal connection.

References:

• Klimova, B., Toman, J., & Kuca, K. (2019). Effectiveness of the dog therapy for patients with dementia - a systematic review. BMC Psychiatry, 19(1), 276–276. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-019-2245-x
• Policay, R., & Falconier, M. (2019). Therapy dogs in couple and family therapy: a therapist’s perspective. Contemporary Family Therapy, 41(1), 79–91. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-018-9472-z
• Ward‐Griffin, E., Klaiber, P., Collins, H. K., Owens, R. L., Coren, S., & Chen, F. S. (2018). Petting away pre‐exam stress: The effect of therapy dog sessions on student well‐being. Stress and Health, 34(3), 468–473. https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.2804