There are studies specifically done on equine-assisted therapy and canine-assisted therapy, although rarely any compare the two or involve both. Each type of animal-assisted therapy has different benefits, different disorders they treat and different results for each disorder.
Benefits of Canine-Assisted Therapy Kruger's study found a reduction of anxiety, as well as an increase in interactions and behaviors. The animals are used as a part of the treatment process to serve as a catalyst for learning, a source of comfort, an outlet for nurturance, and a role model of positive interpersonal relationships. Levinson's paper entitled "The Dog as 'Co-Therapist'" (1962) received recognition in the field of animal-assisted therapy. Levinson advocated, with children in particular, companion animals assist ego development and overall healthy development as well. The relationship a child has with his or her pet allows the child without emotional security and affection to find that within the bond they have with their pet (Levinson). Levinson also explored the role of animals in relation to patients with chronic mental illnesses who lived in supportive care. Levinson found, after bringing puppies into the supportive care for visitation, the patients reported fewer depressive symptoms than the group who did not …show more content…
Animals often serve as social catalysts for people who have visible disabilities. Owning a dog and walking the dog, allows more people to walk up to the owner of the dog even if normally socially avoided. Blackshaw, as cited in The Health Benefits of Companion Animals did a study; found disabled individuals in wheelchairs accompanied by service dogs during shopping trips received a median of eight friendly approaches from strangers, versus only one approach on trips without a dog
Benefits of Canine-Assisted Therapy Kruger's study found a reduction of anxiety, as well as an increase in interactions and behaviors. The animals are used as a part of the treatment process to serve as a catalyst for learning, a source of comfort, an outlet for nurturance, and a role model of positive interpersonal relationships. Levinson's paper entitled "The Dog as 'Co-Therapist'" (1962) received recognition in the field of animal-assisted therapy. Levinson advocated, with children in particular, companion animals assist ego development and overall healthy development as well. The relationship a child has with his or her pet allows the child without emotional security and affection to find that within the bond they have with their pet (Levinson). Levinson also explored the role of animals in relation to patients with chronic mental illnesses who lived in supportive care. Levinson found, after bringing puppies into the supportive care for visitation, the patients reported fewer depressive symptoms than the group who did not …show more content…
Animals often serve as social catalysts for people who have visible disabilities. Owning a dog and walking the dog, allows more people to walk up to the owner of the dog even if normally socially avoided. Blackshaw, as cited in The Health Benefits of Companion Animals did a study; found disabled individuals in wheelchairs accompanied by service dogs during shopping trips received a median of eight friendly approaches from strangers, versus only one approach on trips without a dog