A Prescription for Pet Therapy
A Prescription for Pet Therapy
Today is #loveyourpetday so what better day to discuss the power of #pet#therapy.
This recent article from NIH News in Health reviews the latest studies showing several health benefits of #animal #assisted therapy.
https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2018/02/power-pets
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4485208/
The NIH/Mars Partnership is funding a range of studies focused on the relationships we have with animals. For example, researchers are looking into how animals might influence #child #development. They’re studying animal interactions with kids who have #autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (#ADHD), and other conditions.
Kids who read to the real animals showed better social skills and more sharing, cooperation, and volunteering. They also had fewer #behavioralproblems.
At the #MissouriHumaneSociety, the #ShelterBuddiesReadingProgram pairs kids age 6 to 15 with shy dogs to prepare them for life in a forever home. After completing a 10 hour training program, the kids sit in front of a dog’s kennel and read to them from a book.
https://www.boredpanda.com/kids-read-to-shelter-dogs-buddi…/
Recent studies suggest that early exposure to pets may help protect young children from developing #allergies and #asthma. Caring for a pet can help children grow up more secure and active or provide valuable companionship for older adults.
Interacting with animals has been shown to decrease levels of cortisol (a stress-related hormone) increase the production of #serotonin and lower blood pressure. Other studies have found that animals can reduce loneliness, increase feelings of social support, and boost your #mood.
It’s been challenging to keep our dogs from jumping on me, but it’s been healing to feel their love too. Archer is the white boxer-bulldog and Violet is the caramel pitt bull terrier. Both of these mutts were rescued and have brought immense #joy to our home.