It is not unusual to have someone tell you about their pet dog, parrot, and by a really long stretch, cat. But what about horses, turkeys, pigs, or foxes? Surprising and weird, right?
But these animals are kept for a whole different reason than you think. These pets are therapy pets. But just what are these?
Pet therapy is a guided interaction between an individual and a trained animal. It also involves the animal’s handler.
The purpose of pet therapy is to help a patient recover from or cope with a health problem or mental disorder. Pet therapy is also called animal-assisted therapy (AAT). Dogs and cats are the animals most commonly used in pet therapy. However, fish, guinea pigs, horses, and other animals that meet screening criteria can be used. Also, the type of animal chosen depends on the therapeutic goals of a patient’s treatment plan.
Consider 6 unusual ones.
Turkey
A flight attendant posted the photo of someone’s therapy turkey which was on the flight with him!
The Llama, named Rojo
Rojo roams the streets of Portland, Oregon, bringing joy and happiness to everyone he meets.
Kalliope, the dog-size horse
Buttercup, the pig
Buttercup accompanies Lois Jean Brady (shown in the picture), a certified autism specialist, on several of her therapy sessions
Toast, the Ferret
Toast was rescued by Fuzzy Friends Rescue after he was set on fire by an unkind human, but now travels to various facilities, providing therapeutic aid to lots of lucky people.
Kiwi, the Fennec Fox
Anyone may benefit from pet therapy, except those who are allergic to animal dander. Before an animal can be found suitable to be used for therapy, it will have to fulfill certain requirements, some of which include: a physical examination to confirm that it is immunised and free of diseases, an obedience training course to ensure proper animal control, an instructional course to teach the trainer about patient interaction, as well as an evaluation of the animal’s temperament and behaviour with the handler.
Once an animal-and-handler team is approved, animals are assigned for therapy based on patients’ needs. The animal’s type, breed, size, age, and natural behaviour determine where it will be most helpful.
The healthcare provider managing the patient’s treatment administers pet therapy, but it is a trained handler, often the pet’s owner, who takes the animal to every meeting. The animal and handler work under the provider’s direction to help the patient reach pre-determined goals. In most cases, handlers also work as volunteers.
Would you like to learn more about pet therapy? Things like its benefits, those who may benefit from it, as well as the risks and results. Why not follow this link