Assisted therapy with animals
2025/06/30 Aintzane Rodríguez Celaya - Oinarrizko Psikologia Prozesuak eta Garapena SailaEHU | Garikoitz Azkona Mendoza - Oinarrizko Psikologia Prozesuak eta Garapena SailaEHU Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria
Animal assisted therapy is of increasing interest because it offers benefits in different population groups. Animals become co-therapists in these therapies, where science still has a lot to investigate.
Humans are a social species. Throughout his life he remains in contact with other human beings and develops a variety of bonds with them; our first affective bond is, in most cases, maternal. These bonds are also common in other social animal species [1], so it is understandable that humans develop affective bonds with beings of other species [2].
There are several theories to explain the effects of human-animal interaction, among which biophilia and the adhesion system predominate. The first says that man has an intrinsic interest in nature and animals, which throughout history has helped him to survive [3,4]. According to the second theory, the connection between humans and animals is based on attachment, since humans have a universal need to create affiliation and affective relationships, even with other species [5,6].
Therefore, the links that humans create with animals as a complement or alternative to traditional therapies can contribute to our well-being, both in terms of prevention and treatment of health problems. In this sense, animal assisted therapy refers to methods that use animals for the prevention and treatment of both physical and psychological human pathologies. During a therapeutic session, the animal acts as an interaction mediator with the individual or group (Table 1).
Table No. 1 Methodologies selected for the development of each activity.
These therapies are attracting increasing interest in the clinical field. In Spain, which began to expand in the 1980s, there are currently several associations and foundations both nationally and in the Basque Country (Table 2).
Table No. 2 The main associations and foundations of the Basque Country and of the Autonomous Community dedicated to animal assisted therapies.
Animals as (ko)therapists
Animals for therapy are specially selected and trained animals with specific skills and abilities. Among the skills, it is worth highlighting the calm, the balance and the tendency to approach people. In contrast, skills include maintaining motivation, being able to work in special environments, and responding appropriately to patients’ unexpected reactions[7].
In the selection of the animal, its well-being is a priority, which is why this selection involves the participation of ethologists and veterinarians who carefully study the compatibility between patients and animals. The patient(s) and the animal(s) must be carefully paired and the intrinsic characteristics of the animals must be in tune with the problems to be treated in the patient[8].
In terms of species, dogs are the most commonly used. This animal species has valuable intrinsic behavioral characteristics: on the one hand, they are spontaneous and open to interaction; on the other hand, they offer unconditional love and are loyal and affectionate. These characteristics allow the creation of a trusted therapeutic space where the therapeutic alliance is strengthened and a safe relationship between patient and therapist is promoted, which is essential for the quality of the therapy process [9].
Benefits of Animal Assisted Therapies
Several studies have reported that animal assisted therapies have achieved a wide range of physical, psychological and social benefits.
The physical benefits
Animal assisted therapy helps improve coordination, reflexes, mobility, and musculature, and offers significant benefits to people with physical or sensory disabilities. The animals offer practical support (opening doors, lifting objects, pushing wheelchairs), in addition to facilitating mobility, socialization and autonomy. All this improves stress management, feeling of safety and self-esteem [10,11]. It has also been shown to have physiological benefits, including an improvement in blood pressure and cholesterol levels, as well as an improvement in the neurochemistry of stress due to a reduction in noradrenaline and cortisol levels [12,13].
The psychological benefits
Animals promote empathy, motivation and self-regulation, and patients, due to their identification with animals, show greater involvement with therapy. In the emotional field, animal assisted therapy provides emotional security. Studies have shown that these therapies are beneficial in improving the symptoms of psychological disorders (e.g., depression, phobias, and behavioral disorders) [14–17].
In the cognitive area, animals improve attention and concentration, as well as self-esteem and self-confidence. Positive effects have been observed in people with attention disorders, as well as in children with learning difficulties or cognitive deficits. Improvements have also been observed in older adults with dementia [18–21].
The social benefits
Animal visits to geriatricians, hospitals and prisons increase the socialization of residents and improve their mood and relationships, both among patients and in the case of therapists, families and work groups. These interactions decrease loneliness and social isolation, and promote entertainment and positive behaviors. In children and adolescents, animals improve communication, moral judgment and social skills; in children with autism, it has been observed that disruptive behaviors are reduced and social skills are increased, and their quality of life is significantly improved [22–26].
Working with animals can involve certain risks, such as allergies, infections, or restrictions on access to certain places (e.g., hospitals). However, the scientific literature indicates that the benefits outweigh the risks, and in addition, the risks can be minimized by applying appropriate hygiene protocols. Other problems may include grief caused by the loss of the pet, especially in the elderly, or the inability of the patient to continue to care for the animal due to the disease.
As described, animal-assisted therapies offer benefits in the physical, psychological, and social fields, and can be particularly helpful for people suffering from disabilities, emotional disorders, or loneliness. When animals are properly selected and prepared for therapy, these interactions are safe, effective, and promote overall well-being. However, despite promising results, there is still a need for more rigorous and methodologically sound scientific research to better understand the effectiveness and limitations of these therapies and to be able to integrate them more broadly into health care systems.
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