How Can Therapy Animals Help Children?

Animal-assisted therapy uses different animals for many different rehabilitation reasons. Although they are also useful for adults, therapy animals can help children particularly effectively.

How can therapy animals help children?

Medical science has evolved and has happily recognized the positive effects of animal therapy on children’s health. Therapy animals are currently used in many different exercises for different purposes. Therapists aim to stimulate a specific thing; Depending on what this thing is, what therapy animal they use and the type of interaction it may look a little different.

One can not really specify benefits or results in animal therapy. Every child should have a specialist who has put together a specific treatment plan for him or her.

But we show you the most important benefits that different types of therapy animals often bring to children.

Assisted therapy with dogs

Dogs are probably the most versatile therapy animals available. Their intelligence, emotional presence and devotion to people make them very useful in various rehabilitation contexts.

On the one hand, guide dogs help children with visual impairments to have a better quality of life. With their help, these children can move freely and develop their independence and autonomy. This freedom is very important when they grow up . They can also be more active and have a healthy social life.

Dogs can also be an asset for learning and training. They then aim to help with the cognitive, emotional and social skills of children with certain disorders. In this way, therapy animals can help children with, for example, developmental disorders, children who are on the autism spectrum or have Down syndrome.

It is also important to mention the important role that therapy dogs play for the elderly and people with serious or terminal illnesses. Many hospitals and nursing homes have dog-assisted therapy to create a more positive environment. In addition, these animals improve the general mood and help speed up patients’ recovery.

Horse therapy has many benefits

Today, equine therapy is popular  for the rehabilitation of children and adolescents. They can have a positive impact on cognitive, social, emotional and neuromuscular skills.

In fact, horses have been used as therapy animals since ancient Greece. They can help people who are recovering from accidents. In addition, horses help keep the symptoms of both physical and mental illnesses under control.

Equine therapy has also played a key role in pain relief in degenerative diseases. For example, they help with osteoarthritis and osteoarthritis, among others. They are one of the most popular therapy animals.

Lizards as therapy animals for children

Many children adopt iguanas and small lizards as exotic pets, but their positive effects on health have been studied and used in animal therapy.

Although they may look scary, these reptiles are very useful in increasing children’s cognitive and social skills.

Iguanas and lizards also have a great advantage over dogs and horses. They take up less space and are easier to take care of. Because they do not have fur, they are also good therapy animals for children with allergies.

Rodents as therapy animals

Children are often attracted to the soft and innocent aspect of small rodents. These can be hamsters, rabbits and guinea pigs.

Not many people are afraid of them because they are so small and cute. They are also easy to care for and adapt to smaller spaces. In addition, they are excellent as first pets for children.

Specialists in animal therapy believe that small rodents help children with autism both socially and emotionally.

Cats as therapy animals

Therapy cats are especially good for older adults. Contact with cats can stimulate cognitive capacity and memory.

Research is currently being conducted on the benefits of animal therapy to discover how this type of treatment can benefit more children in their learning and social skills.

Therapy animals must receive the right education and good care and attention in order to be able to help people with their diseases and special needs. Animal-assisted therapy is designed to promote a positive experience for both the patient and the animal. Together, the animal and the patient can learn new things and grow together.