Have you ever seen clips on the internet or people in real life with an animal, in which you are told that they are therapy animals? Animals have been utilised in treatments and therapies for a long time to achieve better treatment results. This is called animal-assisted therapy, and it can help reduce anxiety.

Animal-assisted therapy is beneficial for anxiety because animals often help people relax. It is also helpful for therapists to tailor a treatment for patients because they are more comfortable speaking about their feelings and experiences with the presence of an animal. Therefore, animal-assisted therapy for anxiety is becoming more common. 

Are you finding it interesting? Scroll down and continue reading!

What is animal-assisted therapy?

Animal-assisted therapy is a type of therapy that involves animals and therapists to help guide you through your emotions and experiences. Sarah Urwin, a BACP Accredited Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist, says, ‘Animals are a mood lifter and an ice breaker. They are knots, empathetic and naturally authentic. They don’t judge, and they’re not vengeful. They live in the moment.’ With animals used in therapy sessions, clients could find it easier to talk about their feelings and experiences so that therapists can better understand their situations and struggles. This helps therapists propose more specialised treatment plans or therapy strategies for clients’ specific problems. Activities like forming emotional bonds with animals, walking with animals, and interacting as a group are often done in therapy sessions. 

Animals used in animal-assisted therapy

A wide range of animals is used in animal-assisted therapy. Below are some examples:

• Dogs
• Cats
• Horses
• Farm animals
• Birds
• Hamsters
• Fish
• Dolphins

History of animal-assisted therapy

The first use of animals in therapy was in 1792. In the Quaker York Retreat in England, rabbits and poultry were used in a therapeutic setting. Later in the early 19th century, the training of dogs to help the blind navigate their surroundings began. In the 1950s, a child psychologist, Boris Levinson, discovered that a child who was nonverbal and withdrawn during treatment started to talk and interact with Levinson’s dog. Levinson did not expect this to happen. Ever since then, he has been interested in utilising dogs in therapies. Later, in the 1970s, more studies were performed to investigate the effect of dogs in both daily life and therapies. They described dogs as a ‘social lubricant’ for people with psychiatric disorders, and that they are beneficial for us in our daily lives and in therapeutic settings. 

Benefits of animal-assisted therapy

There are many benefits of animal-assisted therapy, including:

• Reduced pain
• Decreased loneliness
• Relaxation
• Increased socialisation
• Boosted self-esteem
• Reduced anxiety
• Reduced stress
• Improved behavioural problems
• Improved emotional well-being

Risks of  therapy

In healthcare settings, there are risks of infections, allergies, and bites when collaborating with animals in treatments. To minimise the risk of infections, hygiene protocols should be followed when giving animal-assisted therapy. The risk of allergies can be reduced by selecting those who are not allergic to animals to be given animal-assisted therapy. Lastly, the risk of accidents, like bites, related to animals can be minimised by following guidelines set for animal-assisted therapy. 

Anxiety

Anxiety is often normal as people get worried about aspects of their lives, like health, interpersonal relationships, and financial situations. However, anxiety can become a disorder when it is not just temporary worry and fear. Anxiety disorders often tend to last for a long time and affect daily activities at work, while socialising, and at school.

Generalised anxiety disorder

Generalised anxiety disorder is a feeling of anxiety or dread that lasts persistently. One’s daily activities can be affected because of the feeling of anxiety and dread. It can last for months or even years. 

Panic disorder

Panic disorder involves frequent unanticipated panic attacks. People having panic attacks often feel a sudden, intense fear, discomfort, or loss of control in a safe environment. However, having panic attacks does not necessarily lead to panic disorder. 

Social anxiety disorder

Social anxiety disorder refers to the feeling of intense fear when being watched and judged by other people. This persistent fear can be distressing and uncontrollable. It could interfere with one’s daily activities, such as going to work and school.

Other phobia-related disorders

With phobia-related disorders, one would have developed an intense fear of a particular object or situation. The fear of this object or situation is uncontrollable and often out of proportion to the danger the object or situation may actually pose. The objects and situations that people with phobia-related disorders often fear are very diverse. It depends on each case, but some examples are:

• Heights
• Animals, like snakes
• Blood
• Crowds
• Separation

Symptoms of anxiety

• Restless
• Tired 
• Difficulty focussing
• Irritable
• Headaches, muscle aches, stomachaches, or unexplained pains
• Uncontrollably worried 
• Sleep problems, including difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

How does animal-assisted therapy help anxiety?

Biological and neurological effects

• Interacting with animals can trigger the release of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, which play key roles in regulating mood and emotions
• Petting animals has been associated with increased levels of oxytocin, a hormone that promotes social bonding and reduces stress

Cognitive distraction and mindfulness

• Animal-assisted therapy sessions often involve activities that require focus and attention, such as teaching commands to a dog or grooming a horse. This can redirect cognitive resources away from anxious thoughts
• Engaging in mindful activities with animals, like observing their behaviour or feeling their fur, can promote present-moment awareness and mindfulness, helping individuals manage anxiety

Sensory stimulation

• Animals provide a range of sensory experiences, including tactile sensations (petting), auditory stimuli (animal sounds), and olfactory stimulation (smells associated with the animals). These sensory inputs can have a calming effect and contribute to anxiety reduction

Hormonal regulation

• Regular interactions with animals have been linked to the regulation of the stress hormone cortisol. Lower cortisol levels contribute to a reduction in overall stress and anxiety
• The rhythmic and repetitive activities involved in caring for an animal, such as brushing or walking, can have a soothing effect on the nervous system

Therapeutic relationship and attachment

• Animals can serve as a bridge in establishing a therapeutic relationship between the individual and the therapist. The shared focus on the animal can create a sense of safety and trust
• For individuals who struggle with forming attachments, the unconditional acceptance and companionship of animals can provide a model for healthy relationships

Gradual exposure and desensitisation

• Animal-assisted therapy can be structured to expose individuals to anxiety triggers in a controlled and gradual manner. For example, working with a therapy dog can provide a gradual approach for those with specific fears or phobias
• The supportive presence of the animal can make exposure therapy more tolerable and less overwhelming, facilitating the desensitisation process

Tailored interventions

• Animal-assisted therapy interventions can be tailored to suit individual needs and preferences. For instance, equine-assisted therapy may be beneficial for some, while others may prefer the companionship of therapy dogs or smaller animals
• The therapist can incorporate a variety of activities, such as playing with pets, taking animals for walks, or engaging in structured exercises designed to meet specific therapeutic goals

Long-term coping skills

• Animal-assisted therapy can provide individuals with skills that extend beyond the therapy sessions. Learning to care for an animal fosters a sense of responsibility and routine, which can contribute to long-term coping skills and a sense of purpose

Examples of animal-assisted therapy for anxiety

• Walking a dog
  • Anxiety levels, fear, and heart rates decrease
• Animal-assisted therapy with farm animals for psychiatric patients
  • Lower anxiety and depression levels after the treatment
• Animal-assisted therapy regarding the fear of electroconvulsive therapy
  • Reduced fear and anxiety for fear-inducing or negatively perceived therapeutic procedures
• Therapy sessions with a dog for patients with learning disabilities
  • Lower anxiety levels after the therapy session

Summary 

To conclude, animal-assisted therapy was first introduced in the 1950s. It utilises animals, like dogs, horses and birds, in therapy sessions to reduce the anxiety and stress levels of patients. It helps create a safer and more comfortable environment for patients to talk about their emotions and struggles so that therapists can better understand their situations. Anxiety disorders can be very distressing and might interfere with daily activities. Animal-assisted therapy can be helpful in this case to reduce anxiety levels and hence improve quality of life. 

FAQs

How does animal-assisted therapy help with anxiety?

Animal-assisted therapy emphasises building a bond between the animal and the person, leading to a calming state due to the emotional bond. 

Can animals reduce anxiety?

Yes, animals, like cats and dogs, can reduce anxiety, depression, and make you feel more relaxed. 

What are the disadvantages of animal-assisted therapy?

Risks of animal-assisted therapy include infections, allergies, and accidents like biting. 

What does animal-assisted therapy treat?

Animal-assisted therapy can be used to treat depression, anxiety, grief and post-traumatic stress disorder. Not only does it provide psychological benefits, but it also has physiological benefits like lowering heart rates and blood pressure.