SAN DIEGO, Feb. 14, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rehabs That Allow Pets is a popular website dedicated to providing information about drug addiction and treatment options. The new story was published about professionals in the medical community who provide treatment for a variety of mental illnesses and addictions, are continually reporting the benefits of allowing animals to be an integral part of the rehabilitation processes. Utilizing animals, therapy dogs as well as personal pets, throughout a treatment process is called either:
- Animal-Assisted Activities (AAA)
- Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT)
Allowing pets, such as a dog or cat, affects the patient’s demeanor and willingness to stick to the treatment plan. Animal owners around the world consider their pet to be a “part of the family,” and that animal care taking can be emotional part of a person’s life. It is often a reason or excuse that many addicts use to keep them from seeking help with their addiction.
Patients who have brought their pet to a recovery program report reductions in anxiety, lower stress levels, less loneliness, positive thinking and even an increase in their self-esteem. Entering rehab can be a very intimidating and scary thing but having their pet with them can make all the difference in their comfort level.
Doctors have also noted that patients who have a pet with them experience therapeutic results, such as decrease in blood pressure, lower heart rate, and ease of detox symptoms. These benefits have been shown in patients who have mental disorders, depression, anxiety, PTSD as well as those with drug or alcohol addiction. Therapy dogs have been used for years in hospitals, convalescent homes, hospice and many other facilities dealing with stressful situations. There are increasing numbers of facilities that are now seeing the benefits of allowing pets into the detox and rehabilitation process.
Therapists are reporting that just having a pet around creates a more relaxed atmosphere allowing for easier and more open conversations. Guards are let down, sharing is deeper and more personal, all leading to getting to the root of the addiction quicker which means getting to the process of healing and recovery sooner as well.
Research shows that having a sense of responsibility for their pet and experiencing unconditional love from their pet are feelings that deepen the resolve to live a sober and healthy lifestyle and reducing the risk of relapse.
Kevin Leonard
Organization: RehabsThatAllowPets.com
Address: 402 West Broadway, #400, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 888-325-2454
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/930e43dd-fe3f-41e1-8685-543178823982