Animal-Assisted Therapy has been proven to truly improve human health and well-being.

How? Read on!

We've Done The Research

Ways pets improve health - for pet owners and those visited regularly by pets, alike:

Physical Benefits

• Animal-Assisted Therapy helps release endorphins that manipulate perceptions of pain and stress
• Petting a dog can be relaxing, which is measured by a slower heart rate and a drop in blood pressure
• Playing with animals emits important hormones and neurotransmitters in the brain that promote proper body function and rebuild strength
• Owning a dog can help reduce the risk of asthma
• Dog owners are more likely to survive heart attacks than non-pet owners
• The presence of a dog can ease the effects of Alzheimer’s disease
• People with dogs have been found to have lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels when compared to people who do not

Emotional Benefits

• Animal-Assisted Therapy increases the body’s level of oxytocin, which boost happiness, improves empathy and promotes a happier life
• Animal companionship can lower the level of cortisol, a hormone associated with stress, in the body and increase serotonin, a chemical associated with well-being
• Elderly people with dogs are better able than non-pet-owning elderly people to cope with daily activities
• A bond between a pet and human is one of unconditional love, which can teach and support feelings of self worth and value, especially in children
• For those who may feel like detaching from normal social activity, Animal-Assisted Therapy can relieve feelings of social isolation
• Animal-Assisted Therapy provides the opportunity for individuals to interact, engage and socialize with both the pet and its owner
• Especially in children, Animal-Assisted Therapy is a great way to release excess energy for better concentration
• Children who have dogs tend to be more self-reliant, sociable, and less selfish than children without pets
• The sensory stimulation involved in animal companionship can help to calm and relax individuals in new social environments
• Owning a dog gives isolated people a routine, a sense of purpose, and a sense of fulfillment that helps prevent depression and loneliness

Goals & Benefits

Through Animal-Assisted Therapy we attempt to achieve:

Empathy - Identifying with and understanding the feelings and motives of others.

Outward Focus - Bringing individuals out of themselves; animals can help individuals with mental illness or low self-esteem focus on their environment.

Nurturing - Promoting growth and development.

Rapport - Building a relationship of mutual trust or a feeling of connection or bonding.

Acceptance - Favorable reception or approval; an animal’s acceptance is nonjudgmental, forgiving, and unconditional.

Entertainment - Giving pleasure through engaging activity.

Socialization - Enjoying the company of others; studies show that when animals visit a facility, there is more laughter and interaction among residents than any other therapy or entertainment time.

Mental Stimulation - Favorable reception or approval; an animal’s acceptance is nonjudgmental, forgiving and unconditional.

Physical Contact - Giving pleasure through engaging activity.

Physiological Benefits - Enjoying the company of others.