Animal Assisted Therapy in Mental Hospitals

Animal assisted therapy (AAT) in the mental hospital setting finds its greatest strength in the group therapy setting. In this situation, patients can decrease their level of anxiety. The animal (often a dog) shows unconditional love to the patient. This relaxes the patient as a bond develops between the two. Other strategies also yield therapeutic gains.

Safety and Bonding

• In the mental hospital environment, it is important that the patients feel safe with each other. One way to facilitate this is to have a therapy assisting animal present at group sessions. Have the patients talk about the animal and to the animal. Allow the animal to be in close proximity to the speaker. Increasing the bond that the patient has with the animal reduces anxiety and promotes a feeling of safety. One way to increase the bond is to give the patient a photograph of himself with the therapy animal.

Emotions and Empathy

• Central to good mental health is the ability to recognize what we are feeling and to be able to empathize with others. Talking about the animal and how the patient thinks the animal feels is a first step in identifying feelings. Another strategy to employ is to discuss traumatic events in the animal's life, such as being separated from its mother. Ask patients to tell how they think the animal felt. Then ask patients to personalize the situation. Also, ask patients to observe the bond and any empathy between the animal and its handler.

Self-esteem and Giving Behavior

• Animal assisted therapy can be useful in increasing patient self-esteem and promoting giving behavior. Providing care for the animal boosts self-esteem. For example, the patient grooms the animal, which in turn shows appreciation for the effort. This gives the patient a sense of accomplishment and purpose. It also encourages the patient to be more giving.

Growth and Self-control

• Optimally, being hospitalized in a mental hospital should promote patient growth. This growth could lead to better self-control. To facilitate this growth, have patients learn about proper animal care. Discuss the differences between animal care and human care. Then, have patients note changes they could make to their own lifestyles. A strategy to promote self-control is to learn how to teach the animal a new trick. This necessitates the patient having respect for the animal and patience with herself as she attempts to teach the trick. These skills help patients increase their self-control.

Healing Powers

• According to Carol R. Hughes, Ph.D., "Inherent in the human-animal bond dwell incredible healing powers. Proffering their unconditional love and exuberance for life, animals enhance our lives and our bond with them centers our being. AAT provides interaction with a gentle, friendly animal, which can instantly catalyze rapport building and trust, as well as brighten one's emotional outlook." It is through this bond with animals that patients in a mental hospital can reduce their anxiety and bond with their therapists and fellow patients.