Sit, Stay, Heal!

Did you know that animals have been used as healers for centuries? In the 1700s, animals were used to treat the mentally ill. And the fact that animals elicit the relaxation response in humans has been demonstrated in biofeedback literature for years.

While most of the research on animal assisted therapy has been on animals as pets and animals in an inpatient setting, Dr. Sara Hunt Harper successfully uses an outpatient setting.

With over nine years of using therapy pets, Dr. Harper knows the benefits of such therapy. She uses her dogs and cats to make therapeutic interventions with individuals and families, and to teach relaxation skills.

“Most of us,” says Dr. Harper, “are aware that animals are used to assist people who are visually or hearing impaired, and we’ve heard much about rescue dogs assisting where natural or other disasters occur. But few people know that animals are also used in psychotherapy.”

Dr. Harper’s dogs, Brie Ana Marie and Pat, are both Certified Therapy Dogs. Elliot James and Katherine Elise are Cats-in-Training. “It’s hard enough,” she says, “for people to come in for therapy. Having pets integrated into the surroundings makes people more relaxed.”

During the years Dr. Harper has used pet therapy, she’s seen the following results in her practice:

• Reduction in the need for pain medication.
• Increase in feeling of well-being and social interaction.
• Decrease in levels of anxiety.

Questions about pet therapy? Contact Dr. Harper.