9 Psychological Benefits of Dog Assisted Therapy

A review of the positive psychological effects of dog therapy with various types of patients.

Dogs are one of the friendliest animals in existence, which is not surprising, considering that they are the result of centuries of breeding programs selecting for prosocial behavioral traits and affinity with humans. In fact, the psychological and therapeutic benefits of working together with these animals have been demonstrated for several decades.

The friendship and unconditional affection they bring to human beings, as well as their willingness to play and other virtues, have been shown to have a very important therapeutic effect on people who have been treated with these animals. a very important therapeutic effect in people with certain psychological, physical or neurological alterations..

What are the main psychological benefits of dog-assisted therapy?

Here is a summary of the main benefits of dog-assisted therapy.

1. Helps to combat unwanted loneliness

Loneliness is a disease that affects more and more people in Western societies due to new social dynamics that are more focused on the individual and less on the creation of collective bonds.

Dog-assisted therapy has proven to be very useful for people who feel lonely or isolated from the world in their day to day life, as these animals are a great companion for people who feel lonely or isolated from the world in their day to day life.These animals are the perfect companion to lift anyone's spirits.

2. It is a therapeutic resource for anxiety and depression.

Another of the most recognized benefits of dog-assisted therapy is found in people suffering from anxiety or depression.

There are many who come to therapy with this type of alterations, as well as with feelings of monotony, apathy or disinterest in any area of their lives. feelings of monotony, apathy or lack of interest in any area of their lives.. In these cases, the incorporation of a therapeutic assistance dog has more than demonstrated its usefulness and effectiveness.

Dogs are animals capable of detecting a person's suffering, which is why during the therapeutic accompaniment process they can provide valuable support based on companionship, play or affection, something that undoubtedly helps to rehabilitate people with anxiety or depression. Of course, therapy with dogs should be combined with other forms of psychotherapeutic intervention.

3. It promotes psychomotor skills

Other basic functions of dog-assisted therapy include rehabilitation of various motor activities that may be impaired in people of any age, especially in the elderly..

This type of therapy is based on training and motor stimulation to perform activities of all kinds, from brushing and stroking, to walking, teaching certain tricks or playing sports.

4. Mental stimulation

As with motor functions, some impaired cognitive functions can also be stimulated through canine-assisted therapy, and also to treat all types of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease.

In this type of cases, the very incentive and motivation that working with a dog implies for the assisted person, already has a therapeutic value in itself that helps to stimulate certain brain areas.

5. Social skills

Deficits in social or communication skills are one of the most common reasons for consultation in psychology centers around the world and dog-assisted therapy has also proven to be useful in treating these types of disorders.

The positive attitude of dogs and their ability to interact constantly help many people to acquire or improve their relationship skills. improve their relationship skillsThe positive attitude of dogs and their ability to interact constantly help many people to acquire or improve their relationship skills, as well as skills such as empathy, greeting and interest in others.

6. Attentional focus management training

As has been indicated, working with dogs is highly beneficial for stimulating many cognitive skills, and for several decades, it has also been used to train attention and treat cases of adhd in children and adolescents..

Dog-assisted therapy can also be used to promote responsibility, for example by assigning care tasks to children with attention or concentration difficulties.

7. Support for autism spectrum disorders

Another proven benefit of dog-assisted therapy is found in children with non-verbal autism spectrum disorder (ASD). children with non-verbal autism spectrum disorders..

Similarly, working with dogs also favors physical contact, something that is of great importance for those with difficulties in social skills or communication problems.

Children with a very severe and non-verbal type of autism tend to relate in a very satisfactory way with these and other animals, since there is no need to talk.

8. Acceptance

Most dog lovers emphasize the disinterested and unconditional acceptance that dogs offer to their owners or to any person with whom they coexist.

This phenomenon is of great importance for many people with psychological alterations of all kinds, mainly in those with low self-esteem, complexes or who have the feeling that they are worth little.

One more way to promote general well-being

All the beneficial elements of assistance with dogs that we have mentioned are aimed at improving the physical or intellectual wellbeing of the person being assisted and represent a very useful strategy that can be used by the person being assisted. a very useful strategy for psychologists to use in their practices..

The positive bond that is built with the dog during the process of working together is a therapeutic element that helps to improve the mood of the person assisted and contributes to their happiness.

If you are interested in general psychotherapeutic support with the possibility of using dog therapy, please contact us.