animal-assisted therapy

How did animal-assisted therapy become prominent in healthcare? How is it used in physical and cognitive therapy?

DQ#2 How did animal-assisted therapy become prominent in healthcare? How is it used in physical and cognitive therapy?

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            Animal-assisted therapy focuses on using pets or animals to help recover from physical or mental health issues (Bert et al., 2016). Healthcare providers increasingly apply this approach due to the positive interactions a client will gain with an animal. The benefits obtained from this form of therapy produce a balance between emotional and mental state. Besides, the number of patients diagnosed with mental health conditions is on the rise, making animal-assisted therapy prominent in this sector. Most health facilities have adopted this strategy due to its flexibility for people of all age groups. Also, it is recommended for individual and group settings to minimize psychological distress. However, it is critical for the mental health practitioner and the animal handler to be observant of the possibility of burnout for the pet. The most common pets include dogs, horses, and dolphins, considered the most suitable in therapeutic settings.

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