23 Complimentary And Alternative Medicines

Animal Assisted Therapies

For most people, animals bring comfort in the form of a companion, which is why some professionals adopt the use of animals to treat people with mental illnesses. It helps with the increase of empathy and enhances of socialization skills. When a patient is paired with the same animal, it also creates a bond through trust. Animals are employed as part of group therapy programs, as they encourage communication and increase the ability to focus. Not only are they used for mental health, but some hospitals also welcome animals so they can brighten a patient's day - reducing loneliness and anxiety levels. This method has been shown to be an effective complementary treatment for the betterment of mental health.