I grew up in a pet-friendly atmosphere where the ‘family pet’ was a given in my childhood home and practically in every other acquaintance’s home, too. Even during those lean college days, I usually managed to have an independent, fairly low-maintenance cat as a companion. Besides my positive personal experience, my career in the retirement/ healthcare field for over 20 years showed me the benefit of pet therapy for individuals in hospitals or long term care communities. Like me, you may initially identify the term ‘pet therapy’ as something for elders or home-bound individuals. While those darling four-legged visitors most certainly do lift spirits for older or frail people, the advantage of including animals in therapeutic treatment of all sorts is gaining popularity.
Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a relatively new concept, but research, along with observations and anecdotal descriptions of therapeutic progress, is exceptionally encouraging. For example, research on AAT connected with heart failure patients, led by researcher, Kathie N. Cole and her team, had eye-opening results. The article published at ajcc.aacnjournals.org states, “Dog ownership is a significant, independent predictor of survival 1 year after myocardial infarction.” The conclusions of their study indicated, “Animal-assisted therapy improves cardiopulmonary pressures, neurohormone levels, and anxiety in patients hospitalized with heart failure.”
Besides the therapeutic benefits for people recovering from serious physical illness, animal-assisted therapy is included in a variety of psychology theories, helping analysts to treat people with mental illness, behavioral needs, PTSD, and autism.
Weighing in on the worth of AAT, is Cynthia Chandler, Ed.D, an expert on AAT, counseling professor at the University of North Texas, and the founder of the Center for Animal-Assisted Therapies. Through her work Ms. Chandler has determined that oxytocin is a critical element in the animal connection towards the human healing process. “Oxytocin is one of the best, most powerful, wonderful, healthy social hormones we have and it’s the one that’s the most grossly affected in a positive way through human-animal interaction. Animals do not prejudge you. They don’t know that you’ve had a divorce. They don’t know that you’re dealing with sexual abuse.” (See more in the article by B. Uyemura at psychcentral.com.)
Even the Mayo Clinic has gotten in on the animal action with over a dozen registered therapy dogs in their Caring Canines program. An article at mayoclinic.org lists several scenarios where AAT can benefit the patient such as people receiving cancer treatment and dental procedures, veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, or patients with chronic heart failure. Though concern is sometimes raised that an animal may bring a disease or illness into a medical environment, no such incident has ever been reported to the Center on Disease Control. Of course, not every person responds positively to animals—therapists ensure that the pet visits are welcome prior to introducing them to new patients.
You don’t have to be receiving therapy, of course, to enjoy the health benefits of a fur baby. As indicated in the research on heart patients, “dog ownership” increased the prospect of survival. I can attest to the fact that my rambunctious, endearing Jack Russell terrier keeps me smiling and my Blue Russian cat, with all his aloof cat ways brings joy to our home. At the Sedona Community Center, we recognize the value in four-legged friendships. Under the umbrella of our Home Delivered Meals program, our Pet Project ensures that pet food gets to the Meals on Wheels recipients who are unable to provide food for their pets. Led by a fantastic volunteer coordinator, Carolyn Bills, the project is completely funded from grants and donations. If you would like to contribute to the Sedona Community Center Meals on Wheels Pet Project, please contact us at 928.282.2834. And, needless to say, we feed humans, too! Interested in Home Delivered Meals, the Community Lunch or feeding your brain? Try out our newest class, “Proven Brain Activities for Living Younger.” Find out more about our food services, our community classes, or our other services at www.sccsedona.org.
Brenda Redel, Executive Director
