| Who could dispute that animals can have a positive | | | | Dogs are aware of illness and sadness and genuinely |
| effect on emotional well-being? With research being | | | | want to provide companionship and comfort; they |
| conducted into the field of alternative medicine on an | | | | show an abundance of intelligence and are both |
| on-going basis, more and more people are beginning to | | | | intuitive and compassionate. Any dog owner will relate |
| realize the cathartic effects that animals are having on | | | | and agree with me when I say that it is a warm feeling |
| individuals well-being, especially so in those patients | | | | when their dog can detect their sorrow and lick their |
| suffering with depression. | | | | tears away. |
| While some people recover from depression using | | | | Pet Therapy can facilitate many positive changes one |
| medications alone, there are many others, who would | | | | such example being increased socialization skills. |
| prefer to use a combination of alternative therapies to | | | | Animals can be used as part of group therapy |
| try to alleviate the symptoms of depression. One of | | | | programs to encourage communication and increase |
| these treatments being studied is 'Pet Therapy', but | | | | the ability to focus. |
| what is this alternative and how could it help? | | | | Helping to develop a person's self-esteem and |
| Many scientists have spent endless hours looking into | | | | reducing their loneliness and anxiety are just some |
| the different types of therapy available for treating | | | | potential benefits of individual-animal therapy. |
| depression as an illness; 'Pet Therapy' has been | | | | The bond between humans and animals is |
| concluded as one of these therapies. Animals have | | | | demonstrated every day in millions of homes around |
| long been recognized as being a positive force in the | | | | the world. It is also becoming a powerful, common |
| healing process. | | | | mode of therapy in many facilities such as hospitals, |
| Dogs notably have a calming and therapeutic effect | | | | schools and residential homes. |
| on people. They can help individuals to cope with the | | | | While it is difficult to measure and quantify the benefits |
| emotional issues related to their illness. They also offer | | | | of dog therapy with hard scientific fact, there is no |
| physical contact with another living creature and help | | | | question that the magical interaction possible between |
| to divert a person's attention from their pressing daily | | | | animal and human is unmistakable. |
| problems. | | | | Tears can be dried. Scowls transform into smiles. |
| Owning a dog brings about a sense of responsibility. | | | | Silence is broken and lastly but not least importantly |
| Dogs rely on their owners for feeding, walking, | | | | loneliness and isolation can be ejected from a person |
| attention and love. What better excuse for a | | | | through mere touch and cuddles. |
| depressed person to get out of bed in the morning? | | | | Dogs offer their owner's absolute and unconditional |
| Dogs love almost everyone without any degree of | | | | love and a level of boundless patience that no human |
| prejudice or rejection. You do not need to speak any | | | | could ever possibly give. The love of a dog is unlimited, |
| type of language to communicate with a four-legged | | | | what better form of alternative therapy could there |
| friend. Give them a treat, tickle their tummy and they | | | | be? |
| will love you without bounds. | | | | |