Pet Therapy

For this post I thought I would talk about the impact of pet therapy on one’s health. When looking at children in the hospital studies show that having dogs that are involved in pet therapy will make them happier. “A study by Rebecca Johnson, Ph.D., RN, of the University of Missouri-Columbia Center for the Study of Animal Wellness, showed that when a human pets a dog, within minutes they get a massive release of beneficial hormones-known to be associated with health and feelings of wellbeing—such as beta endorphin, prolactin, dopamine, oxytocin, and beta phenylethylamine (Angel on a Leash, 2016). When these hormones are released it makes people happier and their stress hormone is lowered.

When looking at mental health another study was taken involving therapists using therapy dogs during their sessions. The results were that the patients were more likely to look forward to their session and be more open to their therapist. it also lowered their stress and anxiety and made a better lifestyle for them. It sounds silly but these therapy animals have such an impact on those who are suffering and need something as simple as a pet to play with to relax them.

Therapy pets and senior citizens shows a tremendous impact when it comes to feeling of loneliness and health. “Spending as little as 30 minutes with a dog each week reduces feelings of loneliness in long-term care residents reports a study featured in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences (July 2002) (Angel on a Leash, 2016). Like I mentioned my last post you can see the impact these animals have on the senior citizens, it truly amazing what one animal can do for someone.

Information taken from: https://angelonaleash.org/studies-the-amazing-healing-power-of-therapy-dogs/