Therapy Animals: So Much More Than Pets by Dr. Kimberly Dennis/Psychiatrist: at DailyStrength Doctors and Advisors

Dr. Kimberly Dennis is the Medical Director at Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center. She maintains a holistic perspective in the practice of psychiatry, incorporating biological, psycho-social and spiritual approaches…

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Therapy Animals: So Much More Than Pets

Posted in Depression by Dr. Kimberly Dennis on Aug 29, 2012

Whether one struggles with an addiction or disorder, lifelong recovery is the goal of treatment. This is achieved through a wide array of therapeutic approaches that often include individual and group therapy, family involvement, experiential activities using art or music, body image therapy, even spiritual integration. And ever increasingly, help is being provided by therapists of a four-legged variety, namely horses and dogs.

Canine and equine therapy are very different from one another, yet share one important factor: when an individual is concentrating on interaction with an animal, they don't simultaneously focus on themselves, their disease, or disorder.

Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy

Although gentle in spirit, horses are enormous, often daunting, creatures. In a therapeutic role, they are available, compliant and ready to participate with no agenda in mind. Unlike people, they are without judgment. Horses are inherently inquisitive and guileless; they do not know or care about disorders or addictions. They allow people to practice skills that are important to recovery, such as decision-making, assertiveness and communication. Working with a horse can serve as an enormous confidence booster. Many feel that if they can learn to work effectively with an animal of this size, they can do anything.

Canine Therapy

At the heart of most addictions and disorders is emotional pain and the inability to adequately cope with feelings. Often the genesis of such pain is another person or persons. When pain is human-caused, dogs can become the ideal therapist. Dogs love unconditionally. Therapy dogs can help improve an individual’s self-esteem, motivation for recovery, even inspire a reason to live. Whether engaging in an orchestrated activity or simply holding a dog and petting a proffered belly, such interaction can remind a person of any age that happiness, laughter, and joy are still accessible in this world.

All therapy has great value and what is unearthed in one-on-one therapy is different than what is learned in a group. However, what is gained when working with an animal holds a value all its own simply because they are not people. They know nothing of the past or future, they only know of the present time, and it is these moments that a horse or dog willingly give to a hurting person in need.

- Dr. Kim Dennis

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does anybody think that having an animal such as a dog help with depression or mood swings or bipolar disorder in general? knowing that there are always ears to listen, never interrupt you, and they d Posted on 06/29/08 10:31:27 pm

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CATEGORIES: News

CONDITIONS AND COMMUNITIES: Agoraphobia & Social Anxiety • Alcoholism • Anxiety • Anxiety Disorders in Children • Bipolar Disorder • Bipolar Disorder - Teen • Cocaine Addiction & Recovery • Depression • Depression - Teen • Depression in Children • Food Addiction • Gambling Addiction & Recovery • Heroin Addiction & Recovery • Meth Addiction & Recovery • Personality Disorders • Self-Injury • Sex / Pornography Addiction • Shopping Addiction • Smoking Addiction & Recovery • Video Game Addiction

TAGS: Symptoms • Therapies

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I have 3 cats and a dog, which when i'm upset i find it very comforting to talk to them about my problems but although i know they cant speak back i know they are listening and love me.

By jude89 Oct 25, 2012

Its one thing to have a therapy pet but another to have a certified therapy pet. I would really love a dog that I didn't have to worry about leaving in the car and that could go to therapy, or where ever I might need him or her with me. It would definately help me get out more and I feel more at easy having a companion by my side.

By hasselmk Oct 22, 2012

Who do you contact to get assistance with getting a therapy dog for something like PTSD. I have a cat currently, and her calmness helps me stay calm in a chaotic housing environment. My roommate has a dog but I am looking to find a dog to get certified of get one thats already certified. Help?

By hasselmk Oct 22, 2012

Where can I find a therapy dog for bipolar if they have one

By meatball94 Sep 11, 2012

I thought I wrote on this subject yesterday, but must not have! When I got my head injury and lived with friends who had pets I discovered when I moved on my own I missed their dogs! then learned I could have a therapy pet and pay no deposit where I lived. My brother chose a small dog for me and she is my life! She fills me with purpose, I can care for her needs and I am sure that she takes care of mine! I love her so much, I cant imagine life without her. I am scared of the learning of a new thing when I do have to learn to live without her. But that is not now, I am going to just enjoy every second of time that God gave me to spend with my little "Sassy angel"!

By juliecrawford Sep 02, 2012

One of my aunts,who lost her only son a couple of years ago, she has a little dog named bella. She's totally in love with that dog. I have wondered too, should i get a dog? I would really love to get a dog but i live under my parents roof. I have complex ptsd which makes me feel very lonely and depressed. It would be great to have one one day.

By FindingKatB Sep 01, 2012

I would love to have a small dog because I live alone. However I have sever Chronic pain and feel how could I walk the dog? Or get it to the vet. Also dog are expensive. They get sick and need shots and meds. I wish that I had a friend who would bring a dog over for while so I could pet and destress. I love animals. I was trying to working on being more social and had a health problem come up and hopefully it will be over soon and I can focus I try to at least get out socially instead being homebound.

By stranded Aug 30, 2012

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