People who have pets live longer than those who do not. This is the result of research, which is practically confirmed. And, for example, in nursing homes, where there are pets and plants, medical expenses are reduced by 60%. Thus, in many countries officially approved treatment involving animals. The most common animals that help sick people are dogs, cats, horses and dolphins.
Thanks to the participation of our smaller brothers, physically or mentally handicapped people have a chance of a full recovery or, at least, a reduction in the degree of disability. In addition, animals help people who have problems living in society. So if you do not have pets, buy at least a fish.
What do animals give in human life?
* They bring joy and happiness in everyday life.
* They give a person a job, demanding care and care.
* They allow you to think about someone else, except yourself, your problems and illnesses.
* They improve family ties in the family.
* They increase the general level of morality and morality.
* They stimulate movement and activity.
* They provide a source of warmth and love.
* They increase self-confidence, give meaning to life.
* They provide an opportunity to find new friends.
* They help gently pass through loneliness, illness and depression.
They reduce the level of stress.
* They reduce blood pressure and triglyceride levels in the blood
* They allow you to create a unique and unique model of relationships: man is an animal.
Canistherapy - treatment with dogs
This method of therapy and rehabilitation helps people with disabilities and those who have problems with social adaptation. It is conducted with the participation of specially trained dogs.
What does it give? Communication with the dog helps to focus, affects the development of speech and learning ability. Stimulates all senses: sight, hearing, touch and smell. People taking part in therapy are noted to improve the definition of cause-effect relationships, the recognition of color and shape, similarities and differences. During the fun with the dog, children become more relaxed, they develop their physical form and learn to show their emotions.
Felinotherapy - treatment with the participation of cats
Such therapy helps people who have problems with functioning in society. Its purpose is to help overcome fears in contact with the environment. Communication with the cat will encourage the development of sense organs (sight, hearing, touch, smell), and also help in rehabilitation.
What does it give? Firstly, fluffy animal fur calms, relieves stress, relaxes. Secondly, the purring of the cat has a calming effect on the psyche of patients who have undergone treatment, but not only. Studies show that purring (its constant oscillation frequency of 1925-1925 Hz) promotes the regeneration of bones, tendons, ligaments and muscles, and also reduces pain.
Effect of cats and dogs on humans
It is cats and dogs that play a significant role in the integration of the social environment and the family. They teach responsibility, sensitivity and self-confidence. This is especially important in families where there are children with emotional control disorders. Cats and dogs form a connection to the world, allow you to communicate better with others. Friendship with a cat or a dog acts most favorably on the elderly and children. After many years of research and practical application in the United States, a list of diseases and social factors has been compiled, in the treatment of which communication with a cat or dog is effective:
Arthritis
Depression (stress, anxiety, sadness)
Alzheimer's disease
AIDS
Muscular dystrophy (progressive muscular atrophy)
Diabetes
Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis
Hearing and vision damage
Diseases of the circulatory system
Mental diseases
Osteoporosis
Pain of unknown etiology
Autism
Many psychiatric hospitals have recognized the positive fusion of dogs and cats to patients. Animals give patients confidence, lead to discovery in the outer world. Interacting with animals, people then wish to meet them again. There are well-known stories about people who, thanks to cats or dogs, began to talk, walk or recover after a serious illness. So far, the possibilities of our mind have not been studied, but we know how much can be achieved with the help of willpower. Cats and dogs help us to believe in ourselves.
Dolphin therapy
Excursions to the dolphinarium are recommended primarily for children with autism, cerebral palsy, Down's syndrome and other neurological or psychiatric disorders. It has been proved that among the animals that help sick people, dolphins rightfully occupy the third place after dogs and cats. When working with dolphins, the release of endorphins increases. These hormones are responsible for a good mood and eliminate debilitating pain. Thus, in the presence of dolphins, patients, even those who previously experienced severe pain, are happy to communicate and forget about ailments. This gives great results.
Hippotherapy - treatment with horses
Horses therapy is designed to help sick people, especially children who have psychomotor skills (for example, too much or too little muscle tone), eye and hearing damage. This method is recommended for people with mental retardation and emotional disorders. Hippotherapy is performed by specialists on the prescription of a doctor.
What does it give? During hippotherapy, muscle tension decreases and proper posture is formed. Including beneficially affects the heat (the body of the horse is hotter than the human) and rhythmic rocking while walking. The chain of movements of the horse miraculously influences the joints of the spine, shoulders and legs of the person who is on it. Hippotherapy heals in the sequence all the muscles and joints of a person.
Benefit from communicating with animals
These are only the basic animals that help - sick people can be cured even by communication with ordinary fish. The bottom line is that human interaction with animals can provide the following benefits for adults and children:
Empathy. Studies show that children living in houses where the animal is considered a member of the family grow more sensitive than children from families where there are no animals. Children see animals as equals. It is easier for them to show emotions towards animals than to surrounding people. Animals are open and sincere - people are not so straightforward and understandable. The child learns to read the body language of the animal, developing its mental and moral qualities. When children grow older, their ability to understand animals goes into the experience of communicating with people.
Focusing on the outside world. People suffering from mental illness or from low self-esteem are especially in need of communication with the animal. Animals can help them focus on the environment. Instead of thinking and talking about themselves and their problems, they look and talk about animals.
Education. Many children who have the opportunity to care for animals are much higher than their peers in terms of education and intelligence. Caring for an animal requires certain knowledge, constant replenishment of information, daily skills and abilities. This always has a positive effect on both children and adults.
A sense of security. Animals help sick people create an emotionally balanced channel of communication with the outside world. From the point of view of animal therapy, this helps create an atmosphere of emotional security. The presence of the animal can destroy the path through the patient's initial resistance. Children can release their feelings and open up experiences to the animal.
Socialization. Studies show that when dogs and cats come to visit a health facility, laughter and interaction appear among patients. The presence of animals improves socialization in 3 ways:
- Between prisoners
- Between patients and hospital staff
- Between family members
People argue that it is easier for them to communicate with each other while visiting animals. Families often come to therapy with animals, claiming that this is a pleasant moment, irreplaceable by anything else.
Mental stimulation. Mental excitement as a result of increased communication with other people, the flow of memories and entertainment - all this is provided by animals. Communicating with animals can help reduce feelings of isolation and alienation of patients.
Physical contact. Much has been written about the relationship of tactile contact with health. To children, touch therapy helps develop the ability to establish healthy relationships with other people. Often without this, children are not able to develop physically and do not grow. In hospitals where touch is often painful for the patient, the touch of the animals is safe, harmless and interesting. There are many programs for people who have been exposed to physical or sexual abuse when employees and volunteers can not touch patients. In such cases, the ability to touch animals and caress them for these patients is very important. So they will have the opportunity to experience positive physical contact.
Physiological advantages. Communication with animals has a positive effect on the basic functions of the body. Many sick people need the opportunity to relax in the presence of animals. Studies show a significant decrease in blood pressure and heart rate. Even watching swimming fish in an aquarium can be very relaxing and rewarding.