Animal assisted therapy, yes or no?
Animal assisted therapy (AAT) started
in ancient Greece, animals assisted the priests on healing procedures, another
clear example would be Belgium, on the 9th century where they called
this therapy “Therapia Naturelle” the patients learned how to take care of
companion animals, and finally on 1792 we can find the first records about the effectivity
of this therapy applied on a retirement home on England. Nowadays there is an
institution in the United States called Pet Partners. Some hospitals in the
United States have AAT as part of their treatments, in Guatemala there is an
institution, “Bocalán Guatemala”, that is working on this, training people and animals
so they can help others since 2011. I
believe this is a great option, there is people that enjoy being with animals, they
are selfless creatures, that love you unconditionally and can notice when
someone is feeling down. This therapy as any other treatment has pros and cons,
I am going to list some below so you can choose.
Pros, patients…
- Feel less stressed.
- Recover faster.
- Develop social abilities and confidence.
- Can pick the animal they want.
- Exercise.
Cons
- Some patients are allergic to animals.
- These animals can carry germs on them.
- Some people prefer theories scientifically proved.
- Some patients may not react well to them.
So, what do you think, is AAT a good option? or, you
would refuse having animals next to your relatives if they are sick?
References
Having pets is one the greatest thing in world! Actually, I have three dogs and they are my best company. Even if I'm feeling not so good, they are always there standing by me. So, I support AAT!
ResponderBorrarPets' love can help us feel better and there should be no problem if pets visit those patients that are not allergic to them. I've heard of hospitals in the United States that have specialized AAT programs, and one of the main requirements is to pass a cleaning test just to see if the animal is suitable to enter the hospital rooms. If I were sick at a hospital, I would feel better having my pets near me.
ResponderBorrar