Posted By Nancy Houser on December 8, 2009

With seasonal affective disorder (S.A.D.) and mental disorders affecting many people from early fall throughout the darkening winter months, the negative feelings of depression can be easily overcome by using pet therapy,  according to results of the latest studies.

Statistics demonstrate that pet therapy can be utilized for many things—to reduce stress, promote relaxation, decrease tension, and overcome depression on varied levels depending on the individual and the severity of their diagnosis.

AAT Animal Assisted Therapy

Cats and dogs have been well-documented with success in all forms of mental illness including winter seasonal affective disorder or SAD, but recently animal-assisted therapy (AAT) for humans has also been used with farm animals in Mayo Clinic studies.

AAT testing results show that farm animals have “positive influences on self-efficacy and coping ability  among different psychiatric patients with long-lasting psychiatric symptoms” and post-traumatic stress disorder, used as a broad cognitive behavioral therapy to change the behavior in people who are having problems.

Another interesting result from the study shows that interactive robotic dogs have been shown to reduce loneliness in “residents of long-term care facilities with the residents becoming very attached to the robot pets.” So obviously, the magic word in pet therapy is “animal” regardless which type it is, depending on the particular animal a person is able to respond to.

USA Pet Therapy National Organizations

Delta Society Pet Partners Programs
875 124TH Avenue, NE
Suite 101
Bellevue, WA 98005 U.S.A.
(425) 679-5500
E-mail: info @ deltasociety.org

People have long been intrigued by the complex emotional relationships between people and animals. Today, an impressive number of studies demonstrates the incredible benefits that result from these special relationships. Delta is a human service organization that transforms this growing body of scientific information into practical applications for everyday life. Delta’s mission is to promote animals helping people improve their health, independence and quality of life.

Therapy Dogs Incorporated
P.O. Box 20227
Cheyenne WY 82003
Phone: 877-843-7364
Phone: 307-432-0272
Fax: 307-638-2079
therapydogsinc @ qwestoffice.net

Therapy Dogs International, Inc.
88 Bartley Road
Flanders, NJ 07836
(973) 252-9800 (Voice) (973) 252-7171 (Fax)
E-mail: tdi @ gti.net

The Foundation for Pet Provided Therapy, Inc. (AKA Love on a Leash)
PO Box 6308
Oceanside, CA 92058
(760) 740-2326
E Mail :info @ loveonaleash.org

Love on a Leash is a nonprofit public charity. It provides guidelines for the screening, selection and training of potential therapy dogs, certification of trained dogs participating in its program, continuing education of therapy dog handlers, and education to health care/recreation professionals as to the value of therapy dogs. Large chapters everywhere from St. Louis to Oshkosh to Ventura. Call or e-mail for local chapters.

Alpha Affiliates, Inc.
PO Box 176
Mendham, NJ 07945 0176
Telephone (973) 539-2770
Fax (973) 644-0610
E Mail AlphaAffiliates @ webtv.net

Alpha was founded in 1987 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the benefits between people and animals through education. Their entire staff is volunteer and as an organization has been designated by the IRS 501 (c) (3) Resources include videos, printed material from their seminars, advance directive for pet care, etc. One of the videos I reviewed was very nicely done showing a typical visit and demonstrating visit etiquette and safety. I liked it because it looked and sounded exactly like the visits I do. Membership includes their quarterly publication Alpha Bits.

The Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs, Inc.
80 Powder Mill Road
Morris Plains, New Jersey
(888) 738-5770
Contact: June Golden
E-mail: info @ golden-dogs.org

The Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs, Inc. is a nonprofit organization which evaluates, tests, trains, qualifies and supports therapy dogs for the purpose of giving loving and empathic support in nursing homes, hospitals, psychiatric wards and other facilities where emotional service dogs are indispensable. We have programs and evaluators in 28 states. We also have long distance qualification.

Paws For Friendship, Inc.
P O Box 341378
Tampa, FL 33694
(813) 961-2822
(402) 850-7476
Jan Schmidt, President
E-mail: jenniesmom @ pawsforfriendshipinc.org

We are an Certified International Animal Assistance Therapy Organization that has opened many Chapters all over the United States, Canada and Europe. We are completely insured and anxious to visit with you about joining our Organization.

(SOURCE: Dog Play )

Related posts:

• Promoting “Feeding Pets of the Homeless”
• New Research on Health of Pet Owners Due to Their Pets
• Color Therapy and the Healing of Pets
• Winter Allergies: Winter Health Issues in Dogs
• Human MRSA Now Found in Family Pets

For more dog health care tips, pictures and stories subscribe to WayCoolDogs.com today!
This post is filed in: dog research | Tags: animal therapy, dog therapy, pet therapy, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Winter SAD
2 Comments »
E-mail To A Friend