June 2008
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June 2008
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Of Like Minds is now Mood! Over 175 articles on: Help support Mood --
Bookstore
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Pets
and mental wellness
There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face. ~Ben Williams |
Have
you read these? Essential information
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| Pets
have been proven to have a positive influence on our physical and mental health.
Owning a pet can lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reducing the risk
of heart disease. But research has found that pets are also therapeutic
for people with mood and anxiety disorders and other mental conditions.
"The healing
touch of petting an animal and being kissed or nuzzled in return establishes
a soothing intimacy at a time of loneliness. They also serve as a stimulus
to exercise, a key factor in most recuperation. At a time when the ill
person is feeling disconnected from the world, incapable of his or her
normal responsibilities, the pet demonstrates that they are still needed
by another and that their presence would be terribly missed." Pets ease anxiety and stress Benefits of pet ownership for someone with a psychiatric disorder:
Animal-Assisted Therapy
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 Preliminary studies
of this therapy have shown that animals help people feel better and connect
more to those around them. In
one study, after animals were brought in to freely interact with a group
of patients being treated for mood disorders, psychotic disorders, and
other disorders, the patients showed a significant decrease in anxiety.
Dr. Allan N. Schwartz, CSW, Ph.D., a Boulder, Colorado clinical social worker and psychoanalyst, uses trained therapy dogs with his patients. Bonnie, a black Labrador Retriever, and Mingo, a Golden Retriever, excel at easing patients' tension. Both dogs are trained and licensed as emotional/psychiatric support dogs. When one of the dogs jumps up onto the couch with the patient, she sparks conversation. People who are depressed, socially isolated or avoidant, are often reluctant to talk, but, stroking the dog by their side, they begin to talk about pets they've had and childhood memories, feelings and attitudes toward their parents. And, through Mingo or Bonnie, a trusting relationship between doctor and patient begins. Dr. Schwartz treated a young woman whose severe anxiety prevented her from leaving her home and holding a job. Because they couldn't cope with her illness, her boyfriend had left her and her friends had abandoned her. When she was brought to Dr. Schwartz's office, he said, she was very frightened and stroked Mingo over and over. Eventually, she adopted a puppy of her own and had him professionally trained as a support dog. She has recovered so well, she is now working, she drives and goes shopping by herself, her self-esteem and functioning have improved. She's even reestablished her relationships with her boyfriend and friends. Animals played a large part in the successful treatment of her disorder. Teach your dog to be your support partner Related articles Sources: |
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Your
dog can be a valuable part Learn how to incorporate your dog into your recovery process with tips from Support Partners: Canine Companions. This new program, sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company and the Psychiatric Service Dog Society offers a brochure with information about the benefits of dogs and easy, practical ways pet owners can immediately work with their dogs to include them in their support network. The Canine Companions program is part of Support Partners, a national educational campaign co-sponsored by the National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC) that aims to open the lines of communication about depression and encourages a support-team approach to overcoming depression. Visit Support Partners for free guidebooks on recognizing symptoms of depression, being a support partner, including your dog as part of your support team and other topics about depression. |
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treatment
facilities and long-term care facilities to allow the animals to provide
healing benefits to patients of physical and mental illnesses.