An online therapist won’t be able to provide you with these services. But we certainly can refer our clients and provide the relevant resources. As more and more studies are done and we see an increase in therapeutic treatments incorporating animals. It’s important to know that our incredible bonds with animals have been in play for thousands of years. And the benefits go much deeper than just having something to cuddle with.
In this article, we do a deep dive into the relationships between humans and animals. Discover how these connections are used in the health and wellness industry today and which benefits they hold for both animals and humans.
The Relationship Between Humans and Animals: A Journey of Thousands of Years
Humans have been domesticating animals for thousands of years. The first domesticated animal was the dog, roughly 15,000 years ago. Thereafter, about 10,000 years ago, goats, cows, sheep, chickens, etc. Most of these domestications were for practical reasons. For example, dogs were used in hunting, and goats, cows, etc., were used for agricultural purposes. But in Ancient Egypt, cats were hailed as vessels their gods could inhabit. In India, cows weren’t quite as god-like but were still a symbol of the divine.
And, in the Japanese culture, monkeys were once considered to be the mediators between the gods and humans. There’s a lot of interesting history one can dive into when it comes to the relationship between animals and humans. But what is certain is that we have always had a need to surround ourselves with otherworldly creatures. And we’ve managed to create extremely close bonds with many of them.
But why is that? Research has begun to lift the veil off these unique connections. It appears that there are many physical and mental benefits for both animals and humans to have each other in their lives.
The Benefits of Animal Interaction
The benefits of animal interaction are numerous and include the following as explained by an online therapist:
They Can Curb Loneliness
Having another living creature in your environment that you can talk to, touch, etc., has been proven to take the edge off loneliness, especially for those who do not have many friends or family members. We actually saw this basic need in action during the COVID pandemic when pet adoptions skyrocketed during lockdowns worldwide.
Unfortunately, many didn’t consider the long-term responsibility. For many of these pets, the end of COVID restrictions and the return to “normal” lifestyles didn’t amount to a happy ending. This serves as a reminder that while pets can work wonders for loneliness, we should think long and hard about what it really means to get a pet in the first place. And never, ever surprise anyone with a pet as a gift.
They Can Improve Your Heart Health
Animals also have a positive impact on your physical well-being. After numerous studies conducted since 1988 by countries all around the world, there is absolutely no doubt that having a pet can improve your heart health. From lowering heart rates and blood pressure to lowering triglyceride and cholesterol levels – there’s a good reason why the American Heart Association actually recommends having pets to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
We Make Each Other Happy
We’re talking in a much more profound way than just surface-level emotions. Interacting with animals has been proven to flood our systems with feel-good hormones. These include Serotonin, Dopamine, and Oxytocin (the latter being the hormone that helps with bonding – even in relation to our newborns). But even better news is that it’s been proven to go both ways. The same interaction that causes this flood of feel-good hormones in humans has the same effect on the animals!
They Alleviate Stress and Anxiety
If you ask many health professionals, including an online therapist, what one of the biggest killers in modern society is, they would tell you stress and anxiety. That’s because stress and anxiety release a hormone called Cortisol. Cortisol is essentially what puts us in that flight or fight state. While this hormone was incredibly helpful when we needed a sudden burst of Cortisol and Adrenaline to run away from a T-Rex, our bodies are simply unable to handle these hormones in a chronic state.
It leads to all sorts of health issues. This includes excessive weight gain, chronic fatigue (something very different from just feeling a little tired), high blood pressure, a compromised immune system, acne, and much more. Studies done in 2015 and 2018 proved that pets actually decrease these hormone levels in all ages. From smaller children and students all the way through to adults.
They Make Us More Active
Anyone with a dog will be able to tell you that those early morning toilet runs can be a major challenge. Especially on those weekend mornings you would rather sleep in. But this is also where the benefit comes in. In a society where most of us are confined to cubicles and offices, sitting in front of computers for 8+ hours every day, pets are making all the difference in keeping us active.
The WHO (World Health Organization) recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise 5 days a week. Pet owners already get at least 22 minutes each day just by playing with them, taking them for walks, etc. An online therapist will also attest to the fact that, not only is exercise great for your physical well-being, but it has been proven to be very beneficial for your mental health as well.
They Sometimes Know Us Better Than We Know Ourselves
Lassie has been a favourite throughout many generations. This intelligent little helper would intuitively know things and save the day on many occasions. But did you know that animals have many “superpowers”? Or a type of “sixth sense” that can often warn or help humans?
From internal Barometers in migratory birds and animals sensing magnetic fields and impending natural disasters. To dogs that start licking their owners and trying to stay in close proximity once they detect illness. We are literally surrounded by our own version of Lassies every day if we only know how to read the signs (and listen to them!).
Animals as Therapy
Today, there are many ways these benefits are harnessed in therapeutic treatments. A few examples as recommended by an online therapist are:
Equine Therapy for Those With Special Needs
While this undoubtedly can benefit all humans, it tends to be used mostly with children who are either physically disabled, those diagnosed with disorders such as Autism and ADHD, or have other special needs such as those with Down Syndrome or Spina Bifida. Equine Therapy tackles and improves these children’s physical challenges (such as muscle tone, motor skills, balance, sensory processing, etc.). It also improves their behaviour, emotional and mental well-being, as well as their social skills.
A typical Equine Therapy session consists of interacting with the horse, taking care of the horse (for example, brushing the mane), a few physical exercises with the horse, and, of course, horseback riding.
Emotional Support Animals
An emotional support animal can alleviate the symptoms of a variety of mental health issues, such as Depression and Anxiety and improve the daily functioning of the individual. This is why they sometimes form part of a recommendation from an online therapist. These animals truly come in all shapes and sizes. While the most popular are dogs, cats, birds, and rabbits, there are others. These include ferrets, pigs, and hedgehogs as well. One man in Georgia even had an alligator as an emotional support animal.
It’s important to note that emotional support animals are rarely trained to perform specific tasks, like service animals. But they are usually prescribed by a licensed mental health professional (just like medication). Because these animals usually go with their owners wherever they go in public, it’s very important to get these animals from reputable breeders. And also ensure that they are well-behaved in public (this is probably extra important in the case of the alligator).
Animals in Hospital Settings
Studies have proven that allowing animals in care facilities can be very beneficial. Roughly 60% of hospice care offers what they call pet therapy because of the difference it makes to patients.
Studies are ongoing (having started in 2017 already). But it appears that a visit from a pet for just 20-30 minutes a day can speed up recovery, boost patient morale, alleviate symptoms, and bring comfort. While the utmost care must be taken in these types of settings, most medical practitioners would welcome more of these types of controlled interactions based on the benefits.
An Honourable Mention: A Synthetic Solution Where Live Animals are Not an Option
With animals having so many benefits, it can be quite sad when having a live animal simply isn’t an option for some. This is especially the case when it comes to older individuals suffering from Dementia or Alzheimer’s.
Although it is inevitable that the full range of benefits won’t be available, there are synthetic solutions. These can at least provide some of the comforts, such as alleviating loneliness. These include robotic therapy dogs and cats. They won’t require the same type of responsibility and care and are very robust, ensuring a long life for the robotic pet and many years of happy enjoyment for a loved one. This is the only type of pet one can gift with great peace of mind.
We’re Here to Help
The benefits of animal and human interaction are numerous. We’ve merely touched the tip of the therapeutic iceberg when it comes to the different types of treatments and therapies involving animals that are available today.
If this is something that you have been thinking about or would like further advice or recommendations, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@personalonlinetherapy.com. Or simply complete the form below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
