As the bond between humans and their furry friends continues to grow stronger, the role of animals in medicine is also expanding and becoming a more recognised form of healing. We take a deep dive into the world of animal therapy, its far-reaching history, and what it promises for the future of modern medicine.
THE HEALING POWER OF PETS
Symbiotic interactions between people and animals go as far back as human history itself.
What once started as a working relationship with animals relied upon for survival purposes – such as hunting, herding, transportation, and protection – has now evolved into an emotional connection that rivals traditional familial bonds.
As early as 460 BCE, Greek physician and philosopher Hippocrates wrote about the ameliorative benefits of horses, calling the act of riding both mentally and physically therapeutic due to the animal’s ‘healing rhythms’.
There is no denying that human-animal relationships are crucial to modern society, and despite being used to alleviate medical conditions for many centuries, animal-assisted therapy (AAT) has only become recognised as a legitimate and transformative form of medicine in recent decades.
From relying on animals for daily tasks to connecting with them for emotional well-being, the advantages of incorporating animals into medicine and therapy are unparalleled and only continue to grow with further research.
In modern medicine, AAT is an umbrella term and refers to a variety of services and treatments that involve interactions with animals.
Assisting with both physical and mental health conditions, animals can work towards several goals, including providing comfort, alerting others if someone is in danger, performing direct actions to help an individual, improving motor skills, developing social or behavioural skills, and increasing motivation towards activities like exercise or socialising.
These animals – who range in shape, size, fur colour, and number of legs – are seen in many different settings such as care homes, educational organisations, hospitals, correctional facilities, and patients’ homes.
Their healing potential is undeniable and becoming increasingly relied upon. In 2017, when 60 people were killed in a shooting at a music festival in Las Vegas, US, therapy dogs were flown in to comfort survivors and family members.
The following year, dogs once again provided comfort to students after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida, greeting students on their first day back after the tragic incident.
THERAPY ANIMALS IN THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM
One area in which therapy animals are making a difference in the daily lives of others is within the walls of correctional facilities.
There are myriad different programmes which specialise in bringing together animals, typically dogs or cats, with inmates.
One company, Pets as Therapy, has partnered with prisons across the UK to provide the opportunity to interact with dogs. These therapeutic sessions have been observed to reduce stress levels, decrease volatility, allow inmates to explore different ways of expressing and processing their emotions, and find a sense of connection with the outside world.
Such interactions also reduce the risk of self-harm and suicide whilst providing a calming influence, supporting engagement, increasing coping skills, creating a safe and non-judgmental space, and boosting confidence.
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In some institutions, there are dog training programmes (DTPs) available, which allow inmates with model behaviour to train them for service purposes – such as guide or therapy dogs – or teach basic commands to shelter dogs to increase their likelihood of being adopted.
A study conducted to analyse the impact of DPTs found that these programmes led to a reduction in crime rates within prisons alongside an increase in positive mental health aspects such as self-esteem, well-being, and self-efficacy.
Through DPTs, incarcerated individuals are able to learn patience, achieve goals, increase empathy, improve emotional intelligence, and develop appropriate coping skills.
Studies have also shown that participating in these programmes can greatly improve relationships between the inmates themselves, along with inmates and staff, in addition to providing professional skills that can be utilised outside of correctional facilities.
Finally, contact with animals is beneficial as physical touch in prison culture is traditionally viewed as either violent or sexualised. Therefore, interaction with animals can help many access therapeutic aspects, lower stress, and provide a safe outlet for emotions.
PROVIDING HOPE TO VETERANS
Another way AAT makes a significant impact is by assisting veterans who have returned from service.
The therapy helps to empower veterans with complex mental health difficulties, specifically those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression.
The transition to civilian life can be difficult regardless of the circumstances, and physical limitations and mental health conditions can compound the process. According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs, approximately one-third of veterans experience physical or mental disorders.
Interacting with animals, traditionally dogs, has emerged as a valuable tool to support in managing these challenges and overall well-being.
Offering unwavering support and a renewed sense of purpose, working with therapy dogs has been shown to improve the cardiovascular system, elevate mood, decrease cortisol levels, and increase confidence in social settings.
The animals can also assist in restoring a sense of autonomy and are able to detect signs of distress, intervening appropriately. Additionally, the bond formed between veteran and animal can often surpass companionship and become a source of healing and emotional support.
In 2021, North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis and Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal led the Service Dogs Assisting Veterans (SAVES) Act into legislation, establishing a programme to award grants to non-profits that provide and place service animals with veterans.
This recognition of animals’ importance in modern society and their many therapeutic benefits is a testament to their crucial and growing role in medicine.
This role will only continue to expand as more research is conducted to discover new applications for therapy animals and ways to integrate them into traditional treatment methods.
