The benefits of dog therapy

The dogs They are one of the favorite pets for many, since they offer company and they are loved. Also, dogs have a particular way of accepting people without judging them. That is why more and more psychological therapies that use the dogs as support.

Therapy with dogs: the most common animal-assisted therapy

Within the Animal Assisted Therapies (TAA), the animal that is used the most is the dog. The work sessions can be group or individual and the patients are usually children, adolescents, the elderly, the mentally ill, and so on.

Therapy with dogs used to improve the health and well-being of patients, since pets can be a valuable communication bridge between the therapist and the patient. According to Boris Levinson, a psychologist who conducted several studies to find out the benefits of therapy with Pets are not only a pleasant form of therapy, but also provide many physical, psychological and social.

In our article “Cat therapy, discover the beneficial effects of living with a cat

"We have already reviewed the benefits of therapy with cats. Unlike dogs, felines don't seem to need us and tend to be more independent. Instead, dogs constantly show us how important we are to them.

People who have dogs in their home will know first-hand that, in good times and bad, His "dog friend" will be there to keep him company, so we can say that dogs are, in some way way, natural therapists.

The goals of dog therapy

There are many studies that support the benefits of this therapeutic practice. Both sick of Alzheimer's, AIDS patients, autistic children, patients with depression or elderly people who are alone, benefit from the advantages of this type of therapy.

Therapy with dogs has several objectives, both in the area of ​​rehabilitation and in learning, since it is useful at the psychological, cognitive or psychomotor, and helps to improve communication or has a beneficial effect on the socialization of patients.

The objectives They are varied, but in general, they are aimed at:

• Enhance communication skills and personal relationship

• Improve self esteem and autonomy

• Stimulate to carry out specific motor activities, such as pampering, brushing, etc.

• Improve relationships and social skills (empathy, say hello, take an interest in others, etc.)

• Reduce states of anxiety Y depression

• Promote a sense of responsibility

The benefits of dog therapy

As we have seen, dog therapy affects many areas and has varied objectives. But, What benefits does it bring to patients?

Here are the benefits (not only psychological, but also those that concern other areas of health) of therapy with dogs.

Psychological benefits

• Improve mood
• Helps improve attention (used to children with ADHD)
• Antidote to depression and monotony
• Avoid loneliness
• Decreases anxiety and stress
• They promote social and physical contact
• Serves as an incentive and motivation
• It is pleasant for the patient
• They create a positive bond
• Dogs accept us as we are
• Serves to entertain develop leisure skills
• Promotes mental stimulation

Psychomotor benefits

• Improves muscle strengthening, motor skills
• Improves coordination and favors the increase of muscle strength
• Improves fine motor skills thanks to movements such as stroking, grooming, feeding, etc.

Educational benefits

• Improve social skills (empathy, respect, communication, etc.)
• Helps understand the importance of collaboration, commitment and teamwork
• Reduce unwanted behaviors
• Learning occurs through play

Sensory benefits

• Helps increase proprioception
• Promotes the development of the vestibular system
• Works the senses and provides auditory, visual and tactile stimuli