Impact of pet therapy and its application as a part of rehabilitation

Abstract

Zoo therapy, or therapy assisted by animals is a structured program for interventions and care, witch is provided by the therapist to his patients with the help or in presence if an animal. The aim of zoo therapy is to maintain or improve men`s health when suffering different pathologies, on a physical, cognitive, psychological or social level. Purpose: Popularization of zoo therapy and considering its use as element of rehabilitation. According the kind of animal we distinguish different zoo therapies. More popular amongst themare: hyppotherapy (therapy with horses), canistherapy (therapy with dogs), dolphinothetapy, felinotherapy (with cats), apitherapy (with honey bees and hive`s products), asinotherapy (therapy with donkeys) and also therapies with sheep, pigs, aquarium fish, rabbits, turtles, raccoons etc. Zoo therapy is appreciated for not having side effects, except allergies from fur animals. The benefits from the zoo therapy are attained thanks to the role of the animal being a catalyst, wich helps changing the behavior of the patient and allows it to be used as a projection instrument. The benefits can be on physical or psychological levels, heart and blood circulatory system, stress, concentration, improvement of physical condition etc. The self-esteem and auto correction improve men`s need of unconditional love is satisfied, and the connection with Nature deepens. In general, with a good methodology all animals can positively influence one`s physical and psychological health.