For years, animals have been used with great benefit in the treatment of the elderly people, children with autistic and other disorders and diseases or the terminally ill patients. Now Animal Assisted Therapy is benefiting war veterans sufferers of the so called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). While the majority of cases involve pairing PTSD patients with dogs, the treatment has also seen positive results when patients interact with other animals like horses, cats, birds and dolphins.
Ways in which animals can help PTSD war veterans:
- Demanding care – for the PTSD patient troubled by recurring thoughts of a traumatizing experience, it is helpful to have an animal which requires the focus to be shifted away from self and toward them and their needs.
- Overcoming emotional numbness – animals draw out even the most isolated personality, and having to praise the animals helps traumatized veterans overcome emotional numbness.
- Animals are accepting creatures – for the PTSD patient, pets are the ever-affectionate friend determined to give and receive comfort and attention without judgement.
- Physical health benefits – physical benefits include lower cholesterol, blood pressure and triglyceride levels.
- Psychological benefits – animals ease the impacts of PTSD, such as depression and anxiety.
Click here to read more about benefits that our amazing animals have for war veterans suffering of PTSD.
