Having a pet is a great feeling. As a beloved pet snuggles up to you after a difficult day, all your cares slip away. You look into their eyes and see nothing but unconditional love shining back. Such deep and abiding affection is a terrific mood booster.
However, pets do more than give us an emotional lift. Researchers have found that animal-assisted therapy (AAT) can even help teens manage mental health symptoms.
What is animal-assisted therapy?
In AAT, animals and their handlers work with therapists to help patients achieve treatment objectives. Research suggests that it can be helpful for a variety of mental health conditions, including
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- Addiction
- Schizophrenia
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Eating disorders
- Grief and loss
While dogs are the most common therapy animals, a variety of animals can be used, including cats, horses, llamas, guinea pigs, and even African grey parrots. However, ATT isn’t a standalone treatment. It is used in conjunction with other forms of support, such as traditional talk therapy.
The many benefits of AAT
AAT triggers the release of endorphins, the so-called “feel good” chemicals, in the brain. These chemicals are potent mood boosters that can reduce depression and anxiety symptoms. AAT also stimulates the release of oxytocin, which helps us bond with others and feel better about ourselves.
AAT mitigates anxiety by providing a sense of calm and safety and has also been shown to reduce anger and irritability. It can therefore make teens more receptive to traditional therapy. Because animals form bonds with humans without saying a word, they can help boost connection for those who struggle to communicate verbally. Therapy animals also offer physical comfort, which is helpful for those struggling to overcome emotional pain.
Children with behavioral problems often act out because they feel unsafe. Therapy animals provide a sense of security, which can make them less likely to be disruptive.
However, AAT isn’t for everyone. If a teen fears or is allergic to animals, this approach is probably not a good fit.
What are the different types of AAT?
Canine-assisted therapy: Called “man’s best friend” for a reason, dogs often relax people, which boosts the effectiveness of counseling. The presence of a calming dog can be especially beneficial for teens new to talk therapy and nervous about it.
Feline-assisted therapy: While dogs are perhaps the best-known therapy animals, cats have been increasingly used in AAT. They’re a soothing alternative for teens who feel uneasy around dogs or other larger animals.
Equine-assisted therapy (EAT): With EAT, clients take care of horses under the guidance of a therapist. The goals include boosting self-esteem and emotional intelligence and developing more effective communication skills.
Small-animal-assisted therapy: Rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, and other small animals are used in this form of AAT. Their compact size makes them easy to transport to locations where emotional support is most often needed, like hospitals, schools, and nursing homes.
What training is required?
Therapy animals and their handlers undergo rigorous training to ensure treatment safety and effectiveness. The animals are gradually introduced to stimuli like loud noises and crowds, which helps them develop the ability to stay focused despite distractions. They also learn how to respond to commands from their handlers and interact gently with clients.
Handlers learn to continuously observe the animal’s body language and stress signals to ensure it doesn’t become overwhelmed. They’re also taught to adjust interaction levels to meet a client’s needs. For example, if they notice a client becoming uneasy, they will switch from having the client pet the animal to having them just observe it from afar.
Once an animal and its handler have completed training, they’ll be certified by one or more reputable organizations, such as Pet Partners or Therapy Dogs International. To maintain certification, teams must complete ongoing education requirements to stay current on best practices.
How does EAT work?
Teens in EAT regularly connect with a horse by grooming, feeding, and caring for it, which helps them develop a sense of responsibility and purpose. As they see the impact of their love and care on the horse’s happiness and well-being, they often feel more confident and capable. For adolescents who struggle with emotional attachment, the bond itself can also be beneficial, as they can learn to transfer such feelings of attachment to human interactions.
Teens with mental health challenges sometimes struggle to recognize their emotions, which makes it hard to manage them. However, horses have an uncanny ability to mirror the emotional states of humans. Indeed, a body of research shows that horses can read human facial expressions and body language. In one study, horses were found to distinguish among various emotional states depicted in photographs of human faces by reacting accordingly. For example, they avoided pictures of angry faces and approached those of happy ones. This ability makes horses a fantastic indicator of how we’re feeling, which can help teens develop self-awareness and essential nonverbal communication skills.
AAT: Final thoughts
Whether you’re looking to enroll your child in formal AAT or simply want to encourage the responsibility, comfort, and joy of caring for an animal at home, research demonstrates that pets not only boost mental well-being but are also terrific complements to mental health care, including talk therapy, boot camp alternatives, and group care.
Some troubled teens are afraid to start counseling because they don’t know what to expect. However, when they open the door and are greeted by a dog or cat clearly happy to see them, resistance typically dissolves, making them more receptive to treatment.