Animals as therapy

I have a shelter for predators.. the kind that are full of stress and misbehaviour and seriously ill. These animals are all the end result of people who took them as a pet. Who claimed them, did not allow them to be the animal they are. They are forced to be in a bad/negative energy field, to absorb the problems of human beings. They get sick of that. Some animals might help out someone but I don't agree with using animals as therapy. An animal can't walk out if he had it with you, your partner/family/friends can to safe themselves. My animals do relax me if I watch them doing what they like. I keep most of them outside so they can live their own ritme, without being picked up and forced to hug whenever I want. I like to see an animal as natural as possible. The positive thing is all those abandoned/dumped animals are great and you see them shine. Those who are too far away, too sick die over here.

I feel that animals help me to relax. If I get uptight about something my dogs sense it and they are right there. I can't help but stop what I am doing and give them a big hug. It is super relaxing to watch a herd of deer or other wild animals. There is a lot to be learned from them.

When I go to Chemo, there are dogs who have been trained, certified healthy, and are walking around for us. If we want to, we can pet them. Thursdays there is a tine teacup dog-short hair, white with beige spots. Wednesdays, there is a mini poodle and a mutt. Both black with a little gray from age. Most are at least 5 years old, fixed, and have very gentle dispositions. The people who volunteer with them are very good sports. When I worked PetSmart, I met a German, German Shepherd (as apposed to an American, German shepherd) who was a Hosptal and Nursing Home Animal Therapy Volunteer. They have a little wrap around their middle witn embroidery that says they're an official volunteer. They have to be on a leash at all times and on their best behavior. They have to have time for a bathroom break, to eat, and drink. Their animal owners (Moms and Dads) keep track of that. They just let you pet them. They're very quiet. Not all animals who volunteer make the cut. Some are too high strung, some too noisy, some have health problems. So there is a certain status about having a volunteer animal. It's like your kid making it on the honor role every year. My cat helps me relax a lot except when he gets demanding. But when he's in a petting mode, he's great!

I like your post very much, it makes me want to have an animal too. But not now, I have kids already and they're arent behaving like baby goats, they're sometimes worse..lol! I wish you well with your animals. I can feel how much you love them. And now I know what to do if any of my kids are sick (not with flu but the not contagious sort, God forbid though), I will have them pet an animal.

They are so amazing, so innocent and loving. I rescued 6 and I'd say I'm 6 times happier than a regular folk lol. Animals can really bring something that only they can. There was this news about a african descendent woman that was depressed. She was elderly and her kids just left her alone. I think they hurt her preatty bad. So along came a good hearted volunteer, bringing her dog. The woman didn't talk for 3 years and in ONLY 1 month she was smiling and laughing, she told the reporter. She waits anxiously for the dog to come to visit her every weekend! You had to see her face, poor disappointed mother, but she was so happy then. I think or rather, I'm sure the dog was the cause of her cure

Although pets are relaxing and comforting, I do have to say this. My mothers little lap dog is cool and all, but I think he is a little off. He follows my mother around and is always under ever ones feet. I find that to not only be dangerous, but extremely annoying, which elevates my stress level. I know he is harmless and doesn't know what he's doing. But he also used to come to me and play, but form some strange reason he stopped and runs away from me. Also stressing. Thats why I think he is a little off in the head. He makes no sense sometimes. And he stands by the back door as if he wants to go out but funds the other way when you open the door. And forget about when it rains. He will never go out. So, for me, I would rather have no pets, for me that means less stress and less anxiety.

Cats bring naps. I learned that a long while back. They induce deep sleep when I am in a recliner. I do not do well with them in the bedroom though. As a very young child I often talked to the old mama cat and cried my eyes out and had all of her sympathy. In the US you can get your animals certified as therapy animals. They have to have a calm nature. Some nursing homes allow visits. Some schools even have a therapy dog, often it is the school counselor that owns it. I had a friend who worked in a nursing home and whatever animal she had she would bring for the residents. That included baby pygmy goats. Some prisons let inmates work with either shelter animals or wild horses to tame them so they can be adopted out. Animals do not judge you, and they listen, and I think their breathing calms people. There are all kinds of stories about people recovering from stroke or suffering from dementia, and not speaking, until someone brings in an animal companion. I have read of libraries that have reading dogs. Children who are nervous about reading aloud in class practice by reading aloud to dogs and become more successful and enjoy reading as a pass time much more.

Petting dogs or cats make me feel happy.I often think that they're beautiful creatures & they're happy to see you.Especially dogs.

Hi GreenMoo! It is definitely believed by Medical Professionals that animals are great for therapy! They really do feel that they can help patients reduce stress and make them feel better and I believe it! I have 2 cats of my own and when I'm sick or upset my cats "seem to know". I had Brochitis for almost 2 months and was very sick and could barely get out of bed and my cat Star stayed with me all day and night! He was like my little "nurse cat"! I just wished he could have brought me my orange juice and tea!

When upset me and my lab go for walks. She can tell and usually sits by the door waiting for me to go. I love her but I must say I miss my Ollie cat. She was my girl. When I was sad or upset this little cat who gave no one the time of day would come and sit with me. I beleive she knew two days before us that we had lost our baby (still birth) as she became insistent on being with me that day and never left my side for more then a few moments in those two days. The same when I came home from the hospital. For two weeks she was at my side. She was a lover of the outside and rarely stayed in the house especially in nice weather but she never left other then to go out here and there to go potty. She was my angle that helped me through it all. I miss that old girl

Hiya GM, This Dog stresses me out a lot but he also gives buckets of love of course in the way he wants he has to be Top Dog in that as well. In other words getting all his own way (grin). However he does help me relax yes and I often stroke his head and he starts to go to sleep. He can be very affectionate as well but again only when he feels like it. Mainly I love to watch Cats I rescued a Cat from drowning once and I find them very calming also Budgies as well I know they are noisy but they are very chatty and funny to watch. Ducks are funny but seem to be too nervous and bad tempered (grin). Lots of other animals can be funny to watch too like Chimpanzees love them and Dolphins although I know you are talking about day to day animals. Hey someone in Willenhall West Midlands had the bright idea to use a Goat as a Guard Dog in his Scrapyard I for one would not have dared to go through that Gate especially the way he looked at you whoah. Goats are not easily intimidated by anything at least the ones I have seen.

Hi GreenMoo! I have a turtle and it relaxes me to see him swim and eat. It is very satisfying to see your pet grow. You feel like you are doing a good job taking care of them ^^ What I am really amazed at is that my turtle walks very fast in contrary to what I believed for turtles moving slow. I could even say that my turtle runs instead of walk. ^^

It is truly tempting, the way you live so close to nature, with so many animals around you. When you make posts such as this one, I find myself longing a life like yours. I'll shout it from the rooftops. Having lived in the city almost all my life, every animal I see is a feast for my eyes and soul. Sometimes I, like many others, even wish I was a carefree, and innocent creature for a while. Sorry I digressed. Well, I would say that almost every animal, even the pigeons I see almost all the time, relaxes me. Possibly, the reason they help us relax is because the time we spend with them reminds us of our own true connection to this world, our purity, our serenity.

Oh yes. It works and effective.

My dog when he was alive was a good listener....good entertainment...and he loved me no matter what.....I miss him alot. I do know that many of the nursing homes around here do have a pet on site for the residents....touching them helps...and having someone love you also does....

We have therapy animals here in America. They are specially trained not to jump or lick and to stay quietly beside a patient. These animals have saved lived! A study showed that a person's blood pressure lowers when they pet an animal. I do talk to my dogs. They love the attention even though I doubt they understand what I'm saying--all they likely hear is "blah, blah, Gus, love you, blah, blah, good girl Cookie, blah, blah". I tell them my troubles and they lay their heads in my lap and "tell" me they love me. I talk to them about politics, religion, my family and everything else under the sun. It's very therapeutic. Think of it this way--a psychiatrist lets you rattle on and on and rarely says much and eventually you talk your way through your problems and are "cured". Animals do all that for free and even give you kisses.

I really do find that animals can certainly someone deal with stress, anxiety, and such. For one reason or another, I just find that they have a way of helping me relax, and just feel good. A lot of people I know do seem to feel the same way as I do.

Hi GreeMoo, yes I believe that an animal makes a great therapy. I have a dog. He is a mixed breed of poodle and lhasa. When he came into my life, my mood swings have lessened. He always makes me happy with his sweetness. he never fails to make me smile when i am feeling stressed from school and from my love life. When my partner did not come home for almost a week, i have always let him out from his cage and play with him.. he did not leave me when i needed someone to ease the pain i have been feeling for the past 4 months of heartaches and disappointments..

I find that observing fishes in a fish bowl can help me to relax. Watching the fishes swimming gracefully or eratically usually help me to tune out of the 'complexities of life, and provide me with 'a calming of the spirits'; especially after a hard day's work. What is more interesting to me is, I listen to the night creatures (crickets and toads) sing their mating calls at night; as those sounds puts me to sleep. What a great way to go off to sleep?

Animals are great for therapy, but you also need to be selective in the animals that you choose. Dogs often pick up on the owners mood. So when they are stressed, the dog also becomes stressed. Caesar Milan(Dog Whisperer) keeps repeating in his show about "negative" and "positive" energies. I personally like watching fishes,specially the colorful ones, in my aquarium. They help me relax.