Pet Therapy Benefits

Physiological – Petting an animal can actually lower blood pressure.

Rehabilitation motivation – A client may be motivated to reach out and touch an animal.

Emotional – Pets offer unconditional, non-judgemental love and affection.

Mental stimulation – Clients may respond to a pet and begin to interact with the pet and/or other people. Cognitive skills, such as memory can be exercised. Recreation, socialization, entertainment – People have fun and relax around pets.

Educational stimulation – An animal can provide a source for increasing one’s own knowledge, resulting in increased self-respect.

Other – Clients benefit from the visit as do the team members, facility staff, family and friends who share in the experience.