Animal Angels in the News

Pets are highly beneficial to their owners as they reduce health risks

The saying that dogs and other pets are 'man's best friend' has assumed a new dimension. Animals are not only loyal companions, but are turning out to be a big help in the mental and physical well-being of mankind.

In lot of countries, Animal Assisted Therapy ( AAT) is used to help lonely, depressed and stressed people and also to help people who have health related problems. This therapy is even used for aiding special children.

A large number of health professionals and practitioners now recognise what veterinarians and pet owners have known for years: 'Pets can be good for our health and well-being.'

Companion animals are being introduced into the therapeutic regimens of many health care institutions like nursing homes, hospitals, rehabilitation centres, psychiatric institutions and others. Therapeutic riding programmes improve the motor skills and coordination of the physically challenged.

Minal Kavishwar, an animal assisted therapist has conducted Animal Assisted Therapy programmes in Pune and Mumbai, through an NGO called Animal Angels Foundation.

In fact, Meenal first experimented animal therapy in a school in Thane named Jidd and documented the research. She has employed Kutti, a trained dog retriever to help the special children.

Animal therapy is the utilization of animals as a therapeutic module to facilitate healing and rehabilitation of patients with acute or chronic diseases, says Minal.

"Animal Assisted Therapy might be a new concept in India, in Western countries it is widely practiced," she says.

Various forms of animal therapies are used to help children overcome physical, emotional and learning disorders. The therapeutic use of pets as companions has gained increasing attention in recent years for a wide variety of patientspeople with AIDS or cancer, the elderly and the mentally ill.

Unlike people, with whom our interactions may be quite complex and unpredictable, animals provide a constant source of comfort and remain focus of our attention. Petting dogs help bringing down the blood pressure.

Pet therapy does not depend on what kind of animal one likes. It could be a dog, a cat, parakeet or even a fish. What matters is that the animal is of interest to you and fits your temperament. But, mostly trained dogs are used in Animal Therapy.

The use of AAT includes stroking, petting animal and playing with it . With the help of dog therapy, it is possible to help special students ie mentally retarded or speech and hearing impaired, to come to terms with the difficulties of life.

"Therapy dog is an outlet for a child and it helps to spread happiness and the feeling of well being. So, the repressed part of the child's personality is better expressed," she says.

The most important advantage of animal therapy is that there are no side effects, so even if one has allergy to certain medicines, it's easy to treat.

It's especially helpful for small children. Also, it is necessary to go to hospital to take treatment. In the Jidd school, the results of the first quarter show that behavioural problems of the children were reduced, their attention span got improved and physical aggression had fallen. They listened more and learned to hug and apologise.

Although right now, a very few trained animals are available, Meenal and her colleagues have organised AAT training workshops for the medical professionals.

"Also, people who have pets at their homes can train their pets in the therapy. We are also planning to form voluntary groups and organizations in various localities who can participate in the cause," informs Meenal.

Back