Our Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner, Tabitha, explores the therapeutic impact animals can have on trauma survivors.
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Since working in the field of behaviour support, I have worked with a few clients who have animals as a part of their healing and therapeutic journey. Clinical studies have shown that owning a pet or engaging with animals on a regular basis has positive benefits on building social skills and reducing stress and isolation. Some of these recent studies can be found at the end of this post.
Animals have the unique ability to provide comfort and emotional support to people. All animals show unconditional love and acceptance to their owners and others which can boost confidence and encourage positive social interactions in calming environments. Stroking or petting a cat, dog, horse or other animal of choice can help to reduce stress and anxiety. One of my clients has shown me her ‘Companion Cat’ which she can take with her to appointments to reduce anxiety. She does own a cat as well, but she is unable to take the cat out with her for activities or sessions that occur outside her home environment. The trauma that clients have experienced can lead clients into withdrawing from community or group activities. Animals can provide an incentive for clients to attend group activities e.g., equine therapy. They will also support clients in managing stress and improving mental health through physical activity e.g., walking a dog, riding a horse. Dogs and horses require regular exercise and providing clients with routine and outdoor experiences supports their mental health and connection of nature.
In my sessions with clients, I have included positive interactions with animals in if it is possible. For example, if a client comes into the clinic for a session and loves dogs, Hessel Group has Maple the office dog who is occasionally in the office when I have a session. My clients love being able to see Maple and positively engage with her which helps clients to experience feelings of joy and happiness before we start the session. From there we will go through therapeutic activities and/or strategies together.
By providing support through animal experiences, it can play a role in the healing journey of trauma survivors. Therefore, incorporating animals into therapeutic sessions is not just complementary to behaviour support. It can be a powerful tool that can change the lives of clients.
If you would like to buy a companion cat, a link to the Dementia Shop website can be found here: https://dementiashop.com.au/products/companion-cats?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpoSQ3sCvhwMVCw-DAx29IQUSEAQYAyABEgJlePD_BwE
References:
- Fullerton, N. (2021, June 24). Pets & PTSD: How the Human-Animal Bond Complements Treatment for Veterans - Penn Medicine. Www.pennmedicine.org. https://www.pennmedicine.org/news/news-blog/2021/june/pets-and-ptsd-how-the-human-animal-bond-complements-treatment-for-veterans
- New Study of Animal Assisted Interventions in Trauma Treatment Finds Reduced Depression, Anxiety and Post-traumatic Stress. (n.d.). HABRI. Retrieved July 18, 2024, from https://habri.org/pressroom/20150921
- Shoesmith, E., Shahab, L., Kale, D., Mills, D. S., Reeve, C., Toner, P., Santos de Assis, L., & Ratschen, E. (2021). The Influence of Human–Animal Interactions on Mental and Physical Health during the First COVID-19 Lockdown Phase in the U.K.: A Qualitative Exploration. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(3), 976. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18030976
- Tryon, V. L., Garman, H. D., Loewy, R. L., & Niendam, T. A. (2021). Links Between Human and Animal Models of Trauma and Psychosis: A Narrative Review. Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, 6(2), 154–165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpsc.2020.09.012