Types of therapy
At Paracelsus Recovery, we use various types of therapy, including dog therapy, to support our clients in their recovery. The aim of dog therapy, when applicable, is to help clients use their bond with a dog to strengthen their sense of connection and compassion for another being. In so doing, many individuals find themselves re-connecting with the part of them that enjoys caring for themselves; a part they have long since lost touch with.
What is dog therapy?
Dogs are one of the most commonly-used pets for animal therapy due to their nature and demeanour. For example, they are known to be sensitive to our emotional states and social gestures. They also have the ability to mirror the complex attachment relationship of an infant to caregiver. This can allow people to form a special kind of bond with dogs that has great therapeutic value.
Dog therapy sessions are structured and formal rather than involving simply spending time with a dog. A dog handler or trainer and therapist will also be present during sessions. The dog will be chosen based on a client’s needs, goals and specificities of their treatment plan. Before participating in dog therapy, a dog will go through training, examinations and evaluations to make sure they are suitable candidates in terms of temperament and behaviour, for example. The dog’s trainer will also be trained in mental health and substance abuse modalities.
What are the benefits of dog therapy?
While simply being around dogs can lift your mood, there are various other benefits of dog therapy. For example, a dog’s presence can have a calming effect that reduces anxiety and stress. Even just stroking a dog releases endorphins, setting off a calming effect and reducing stress levels. Being around a dog can also reduce depression by making you feel happier and improving your outlook on life as well as encouraging exercise and boosting overall health.
In addition, people who are struggling with human interaction and communicating with others can find comfort in being able to bond with a dog without a need for words. Especially for those who find social situations challenging due to their mental health or substance abuse disorder, interacting with a dog can feel like a way to take baby steps towards being able to engage in social interactions. Similarly, the companionship the dog provides can also help decrease loneliness and isolation as well as alleviating boredom. Dogs can also provide a sense of unconditional love that can be supportive of healing.
Is dog therapy evidence-based?
Spending time with dogs, either through ownership or long-term interventions has been proven to have many therapeutic advantages and benefits, both physical and mental. This makes it a compelling addition to mental health treatment programmes. Including dogs as an adjunct or complementary therapy has been shown to improve various aspects of human health and well-being. For example, one study into integrating dogs into psychotherapy for children and adolescents found there to be possible motivation and alliance-enhancing effects, both of which are essential for successful therapy. Another study found that having a dog present during psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy can help to reduce anxiety and distress in patients who have experienced trauma. As a result, this can boost the efficacy of the therapeutic treatment process.
Not only this, but dog therapy can have a significant biological impact. For example, studies that measure physiological biomarkers have found there to be a stress-reducing effect of short-term interactions with dogs. Some of the reported changes were on heart rate, blood pressure and neurochemicals such as dopamine and the stress hormone, cortisol, for example.
At Paracelsus Recovery, if we believe that dog therapy will support your recovery, we will include it as part of your treatment programme.
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