by KC Kelly, Ph.D., LMHC

www.DOCintheBiz.com

The presence of an emotional support animal in one’s life can be an exceptional healing agent for mind/body/spirit infirmities as well as a catalyst for helping to promote wellbeing and quality of life.

The therapeutic effects that animals boast to assert over human suffering and help in healing have often proven to be astounding. This theory has been proven over and over again in medical studies conducted by researchers who bring together animals and those who reside in nursing homes plagued with dementia and/or Alzheimer’s disease, just as examples. Animals can also have positive effects on people without a disease or illness, but who are experiencing sadness, stress, anxiety, fear, loneliness, or major life changes such as a death of a spouse. The spirits of adults and children alike are often lifted by the presence of animals.

Often times, when medical science and human interaction fail, animals succeed in helping to treat those experiencing emotional difficulties including depression, anxiety, and extreme anger and aggressiveness. Emotional support animals can bring people out of emotionally suppressing states, help them feel less isolated and alone, and provide other health benefits such as lowering heart rate and stress. Emotional support animals have even shown to be beneficial to those with autism and/or Down’s Syndrome. (Close supervision of the animal with a child with autism, for instance, is imperative for the safety of the animal).

Since we know that mind and body are connected, as discussed my article, “Is it All in Our Thinking?“, we are aware that attitude and frame of mind have a great deal of power when overcoming physical ailments and/or disease. When an animal brings joy and peace to a person, he or she tends to gain a greater desire to recover and heal faster; and often times, to continue to live.

Emotional support animals can help a person afraid to travel or even be in public places. The mere presence of the animal helps give security and encouragement for a person to leave his or her house, got to a store, ride in a car, train or plane, or simply to engage in local social activities.

Animals often provide unconditional love that one human may never experience from another human. The need to take care of the animal also helps give people a feeling of responsibility, autonomy, and self esteem or self worth. Animals can bring a certain incredible strength to people that gives them higher quality of life and happiness in a world which can often times be a battlefield. Animals can act as armor and make one more resilient and exultant, helping them to triumph over major adversity or just to be there as a best friend, companion and lifeline.

Please visit DOCintheBiz for emotional/mental self help links and the opportunity to email me for professional and confidential help with any concerns you may have. You are never alone! Other wonderful resources out there include the Delta Society, Therapy Dogs International, and Citizens for Pets in Condos, to name just a few.

Dr. KC
www.DOCintheBiz.com
www.GLCzone.com

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