{"id":4273,"date":"2024-02-14T09:30:50","date_gmt":"2024-02-14T09:30:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/articlethirteen.com\/?p=4273"},"modified":"2024-08-08T20:51:12","modified_gmt":"2024-02-14T09:30:50","slug":"pairing-animal-assisted-therapy-with-other-mental-health-services","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/articlethirteen.com\/pairing-animal-assisted-therapy-with-other-mental-health-services\/","title":{"rendered":"Pairing Animal Assisted Therapy With Other Mental Health Services"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Animal assisted therapy (AAT) is a holistic approach that involves using pets and animals like canines, cats, horses, and alpacas during human psychotherapy. These animals aid your healing during <a href=\"https:\/\/articlethirteen.com\/3-practices-to-include-in-your-mental-health-tool-kit\/\">mental health treatment<\/a> by creating a calming presence. Here is more information about pairing pet therapy with other mental health services:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_69_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/articlethirteen.com\/pairing-animal-assisted-therapy-with-other-mental-health-services\/#Reasons_to_Combine_Pet_Therapy_With_Mental_Health_Treatments\" title=\"Reasons to Combine Pet Therapy With Mental Health Treatments\">Reasons to Combine Pet Therapy With Mental Health Treatments<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/articlethirteen.com\/pairing-animal-assisted-therapy-with-other-mental-health-services\/#Promoting_Social_Interactions\" title=\"Promoting Social Interactions\">Promoting Social Interactions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/articlethirteen.com\/pairing-animal-assisted-therapy-with-other-mental-health-services\/#Speeding_Trauma_Recovery\" title=\"Speeding Trauma Recovery\">Speeding Trauma Recovery<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/articlethirteen.com\/pairing-animal-assisted-therapy-with-other-mental-health-services\/#Promoting_Physical_Wellness\" title=\"Promoting Physical Wellness\">Promoting Physical Wellness<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/articlethirteen.com\/pairing-animal-assisted-therapy-with-other-mental-health-services\/#Mental_Health_Services_Paired_With_Pet_Therapy\" title=\"Mental Health Services Paired With Pet Therapy\">Mental Health Services Paired With Pet Therapy<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/articlethirteen.com\/pairing-animal-assisted-therapy-with-other-mental-health-services\/#How_a_Pet_Therapist_Can_Help\" title=\"How a Pet Therapist Can Help\">How a Pet Therapist Can Help<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/articlethirteen.com\/pairing-animal-assisted-therapy-with-other-mental-health-services\/#Mental_Health_Problems_Animal_Assisted_Therapy_Can_Solve\" title=\"Mental Health Problems Animal Assisted Therapy Can Solve\">Mental Health Problems Animal Assisted Therapy Can Solve<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/articlethirteen.com\/pairing-animal-assisted-therapy-with-other-mental-health-services\/#Visit_a_Pet_Therapist_Today\" title=\"Visit a Pet Therapist Today\">Visit a Pet Therapist Today<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Reasons_to_Combine_Pet_Therapy_With_Mental_Health_Treatments\"><\/span>Reasons to Combine Pet Therapy With Mental Health Treatments<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Interacting with animals during counseling helps promote positive emotions like love, excitement, and happiness. These positive emotions make the body produce\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.husson.edu\/online\/blog\/2022\/07\/benefits-of-animal-assisted-therapy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>hormones<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0like prolactin or serotonin, which can lower your stress and aid relaxation. Positive feelings during AAT come from a sense of reassurance created when you <a href=\"https:\/\/articlethirteen.com\/gps-dog-fence-systems-redefining-pet-containment\/\">bond with pets<\/a>. Here are other reasons pet therapy gets paired with counseling services:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Promoting_Social_Interactions\"><\/span>Promoting Social Interactions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Social interactions help you become more confident and <a href=\"https:\/\/articlethirteen.com\/why-cats-are-known-for-their-curiosity-and-how-to-keep-them-safe\/\">open up during pet therapy<\/a>. Interacting with animals creates a sense of companionship, enabling you to overcome loneliness. You also learn about accepted social behaviors by observing how the therapist interacts and relates with animals. The animal&#8217;s positive responses in therapy help motivate you to adopt appropriate social skills like self-control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Speeding_Trauma_Recovery\"><\/span>Speeding Trauma Recovery<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Pets like canines help promote a safe and secure environment for trauma survivors during mental health treatment. The calming effect of animals aids trauma recovery by making you less alert and sensitive to environmental cues. Restfulness and affection fostered by animals also help you overcome trauma symptoms like anger and irritability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Promoting_Physical_Wellness\"><\/span>Promoting Physical Wellness<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Pet therapy involves animal-based activities like dog walking or horse riding to enhance physical fitness and flexibility. These activities motivate you to plan a daily workout routine to help achieve your physical health goals. Pet grooming, teeth brushing, or feeding enhance your motor and coordination skills. Other potential health benefits include improved mobility and pain management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mental_Health_Services_Paired_With_Pet_Therapy\"><\/span>Mental Health Services Paired With Pet Therapy<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apa.org\/ptsd-guideline\/patients-and-families\/cognitive-behavioral\" rel=\"nofollow\">Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)<\/a> is a mental health service that can be combined with pet therapy. The therapies work well if you are battling substance abuse, depression, and phobias. Observing the animals&#8217; positive behaviors and responses during CBT can foster positive thoughts and behavioral patterns. The animal&#8217;s calming nature during interactions enables you to develop coping skills like relaxation techniques and emotional control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mental health specialists also incorporate&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/bridge2balance.com\/animal-assisted-therapy\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>animal assisted therapy<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;with individual and family therapies. The approach helps if you&#8217;re undergoing a divorce, domestic abuse, or substance addictions. Consolation resulting from bonding with animals during individual or family therapy offers you emotional support. Other mental health services that can be paired with AAT include music therapy, trauma-informed therapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_a_Pet_Therapist_Can_Help\"><\/span>How a Pet Therapist Can Help<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A comprehensive examination can help a mental health expert pair your AAT with other counseling services. Assessments enable a counselor to determine concerns that pet therapy addresses. The animals involved in the therapy sessions undergo adequate training to improve their interactions with humans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your mental health specialist informs you upfront about the pets or animals to be involved in the therapy session. Informed consent prepares you for the paired mental health service by eliminating nervousness. The counselor reviews your progress to determine AAT effectiveness and make the necessary improvements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mental_Health_Problems_Animal_Assisted_Therapy_Can_Solve\"><\/span>Mental Health Problems Animal Assisted Therapy Can Solve<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Pet therapy helps children with autism manage various symptoms like withdrawals or unusual mood reactions. The repetitive sounds, touches, and smells from animals improve your autistic child&#8217;s sensory response. This type of stimulation allows your child to concentrate, socialize, and become more cheerful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pet therapy allows eldery people with dementia to create affectionate and fun relationships with animals like canines. Animal assisted treatments help a loved one with dementia to develop better communication behaviors. Participating in animal-based activities like grooming allows dementia patients to develop self-care skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pet therapy helps improve how you think and feel if you have schizophrenia. By working with a service animal, you can stay in touch with your surroundings, which helps prevent your symptoms and allows you to interact with friends and loved ones more easily. Alleviation of schizophrenia symptoms enables you to build positive relationships or friendships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Visit_a_Pet_Therapist_Today\"><\/span>Visit a Pet Therapist Today<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Pairing animal assisted therapy with other psychiatry services can help make mental health treatment more effective. The treatments improve your mood, self-confidence, and social behaviors. Book a pet therapy appointment today to start your mental health improvement journey.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Animal assisted therapy (AAT) is a holistic approach that involves using pets and animals like canines, cats, horses, and alpacas during human psychotherapy. These animals aid your healing during mental health treatment by creating a&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":4274,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[47],"tags":[832,835,833,834],"class_list":{"0":"post-4273","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-health","8":"tag-animal-assisted-therapy","9":"tag-health-treatments","10":"tag-mental-health-services","11":"tag-pet-therapy"},"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/articlethirteen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4273","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/articlethirteen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/articlethirteen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/articlethirteen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/articlethirteen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4273"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/articlethirteen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4273\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4275,"href":"https:\/\/articlethirteen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4273\/revisions\/4275"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/articlethirteen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4274"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/articlethirteen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4273"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/articlethirteen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4273"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/articlethirteen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4273"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}