Does Pet Therapy Improve the Health of Those Who Use it?
English Composition
Pet Therapy 2
This paper reviews the possible beneficial effects pet therapy can have on
individuals in both a hospital setting, as well as the every growing technique of home
health care. Pet Therapy is a fairly new and changing technique in the health care field. The hope of pet therapy is that during visits to the hospital it will help divert parent and children’s attention during painful procedures. Thus making the visit a more enjoyable and tolerant experience. It also examines the possible effect of lowering blood pressure on individuals who recently suffered a myocardial infarction or experience cardiovascular problems. Studies show that individuals living in a nursing home or monitored community of similar nature lack feeling of social status, suffer from psychological and physical ailments and feel the desire to be needed. This examines the possible steps that pet therapy can have in those areas of concern, as well as possibly improving not only the length of an individual’s life living in one of those settings, but also the quality of that life. Health care is an extremely important and every growing field. Pet Therapy is the concept of bringing a particular pet whether it is dog, cat, or a different pet of interest into a health care setting. In hopes of both improving the condition of the patient, as well as improve the success of the particular visit or procedure taking place. The researcher feels this is a very important technique to research because any advances in the health care field should be seen as positive. If there is any way to improve the treatment and success
Pet Therapy 3 of those treatments on patients, than they should be strongly researched and studied during clinical trials. Pet Therapy is one of the highest growing experimental techniques used in today’s health care. Pet Therapy started off, as home
References: Cullen L, Titler M, Drahozal R. Family and pet visitation in the critical care unit. Crit Care Nurse. 2003;23(5):62. Flom, B. (2005). Counseling with pocket pets: Using small animals in elementary counseling programs. Professional School Counseling, 8(5) 469-473. Hooker, S., Freeman, L. & Stewart, P. (2002). Pet therapy research: A historical review [Electronic version.] Holistic Nursing Practice, 17-23. Kaminski, M., Pellino, T., & Wish, J. (2002). Play and pets: The physical and emotional impact of child-life and pet therapy on hospitalized children. Children’s Health Care, 31(4), 321-335. McColgan, G., & Schofield, I. (2006). The importance of companion animal relationships in the lives of older people. Gerontological care and practice. Souter, M.A., & Miller, M.D. (2007). Do Animal-Assisted Activities Effectively Treat Depression? A Meta-Analysis. Anthrozoos, 20(2), 167-180.