The pet is the co-therapist helping the patient, along with psychologists and other specialists
This therapy is based on the support of pets. Such as dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, and donkeys and it is matched to other therapies both to treat psychological disabilities.
Such as autism, and physical disabilities (hearing and sight impairment, mobility impairment), along with learning disabilities such as anxiety, hyperactivity disorder, and other types of autism.
The pet is the co-therapist helping the patient, along with psychologists and other specialists (pedagogues, welfare workers, and specialized dog instructors) trigger off, spontaneously, game stimuli for children and temporary attention stimuli (dog’s care, caresses) for elderly people and depressed patients.
Pet-assisted therapies’ specialists select their pets following a gradual pattern and a long training.
All cases showed improved attention and, for those patients making violent and unexpected movements, an improved capacity to control their body.
As to language, patients get used to talk to the animal and express their feelings, which, for example, is particularly hard for autistic patients.
This kind of therapies are quite wide-spread in Italy. For instance in Milan you can ask further details to www.piccoloprincipe.org also for training and info http://www.piccoloprincipeonlus.org
Remember that in a pet-associated therapy centre you will always find a therapist (a psychologist, a pedagogue, etc.), an animal trainer, a vet and other social workers having attended ad hoc qualification courses (child care workers developing motor skills on a play-based approach).
Our pets are protected by specific laws. Thus, their owners, having to share common spaces with their four-legged friends, must respect some rules to live together in harmony.
a few tips about DOGS IN TOWN:
A few good habits. Humans and dogs can live together peacefully, provided a few necessary rules are observed.
Clean streets. It is a polite habit to pick up dogs’ faeces from public areas. Besides being provided for by decrees and regulations issued by the Italian municipalities.
A plastic bag or an ad hoc scoop with bags should always be carried when walking your dog. Intolerance against dogs very often stems from their owners’ wrong attitude.
The fear of dogs. There are people who fear cats or dogs just because they are not accustomed to deal with them or because they suffer from real phobias. We have to respect other people’s fears. When needed, we must keep our dog on a leash as near to us as possible. And show a reassuring attitude towards those who are visibly afraid.
