Zoo Therapy Forum Discussion
So guys it was 1 vote each between Zoo Therapy & Receiving Help so used a random generator to pick our next topic our next topic is Zoo Therapy hope many of you join in on this discussion ill post a question every 2 days so let's get started, shall we?
Objectives
Understanding what zootherapy is and how it can help someone with a disability
Icebreaker: What are your hobbies and what is your favourite thing about them you enjoy most?
Taglist : @creativeOak9590 @purpleHeart16 @PhoenixAsh @RaspberryCup8692 @TheLifeOfKelli @finnthewaffle @1Marg @sympatheticNorth2026
What has been your experience with Zootherapy?
@creativeOak9590 @purpleHeart16 @RaspberryCup8692 @TheLifeOfKelli @finnthewaffle @1Marg @sympatheticNorth2026 @Leeshalyn @GusteeMoon123 @Emily1256
sorry for delay in next question everyone
@CaringBrit
I have no experience with zoology.
@sympatheticNorth2026 thats fine what of assisted pet therapy then?
@CaringBrit
I haven't really had any experience of zootherapy or pet assisted therapy, but I have always thought it would be interesting to try. There is a farm near here that does equine therapy. I don't really have any experience with horses but I looked into what sort of programs they offered...it sounded like it would be an incredible experience but was just too expensive.
Thankfully there seems to be some sort of funding for children to visit the equine therapy place. I have watched videos of how kids who have various difficulties are able to open up to the horses and gain some confidence/experience happiness related to the experience.
I am glad I have been able to have pets for most of my life because I think the comfort they bring makes a huge difference in my level of positivity and motivation to move forward, especially on bad days.
@RaspberryCup8692 aww that would bew awesome if you gave equine therapy a try horses are fantastic animals
i have provided zootherapy with various animals typically the subjects of avoidance and phobias. Skunks and snakes mainly, but spiders also. overcoming a phobia can give a person a new respect for themselves AND the animal they feared.
@GusteeMoon123 very true
seems my next question is a lil overdue so I'm going to post 2 questions one for Sundays question and another for today's any new participants are welcome to still join in
How can zootherapy help someone with physical and/or mental disabilities?
Why do animals have a calming effect on a person? What are the benefits of Zootherapy?
@creativeOak9590 @purpleHeart16 @RaspberryCup8692 @TheLifeOfKelli @finnthewaffle @1Marg @sympatheticNorth2026 @Leeshalyn @GusteeMoon123 @Emily1256
@CaringBrit
I think Marg is @1Marg1
@CaringBrit
How can zootherapy help someone with physical and/or mental disabilities?
From what I have read, it sounds like animals are able to provide a sense of safety (say if it's a service dog), friendship and behavioural support. Connection with an animal can also relieve stress, calm agitation and accelerate recovery after an illness or surgery. Animal therapy is also a very important tool for use with the eldery.
One webpage I visited was specifically to do with autism and it mentioned that having a service dog leads to more social interaction for the person because the animal is able to bridge the gap between them and their peers. Talking to and about the dog also opens a line of communication with the other people around them.
Something else I found interesting was that there are programs for children to read to dogs...I know this happens in some shelters, to get the dog used to socializing. It also helps the child, particularly if the child is struggling to read. Their literacy can improve if they feel more comfortable reading aloud to the dog than in class, or more motivated by reading to an animal. I suppose this would work with various types of animals...imagine if you had the option of reading to an elephant.
@RaspberryCup8692 id have loved to read to an animal wether dog or elephant or even horse and awesome response what about the 2nd question underneath their was 2 questions
@CaringBrit
Thank you CaringBrit...yes, I was wanting to give the other folks a chance to answer first, but I will post something tomorrow for sure in answer to the other question.
@RaspberryCup8692 in 24 hours will be a new question
@CaringBrit
Why do animals have a calming effect on a person? What are the benefits of Zootherapy?
Connecting with an animal can be easier than with another human for some people...so by not having to work to cross what can be a barrier when trying to communicate with another person, the individual working with the therapy animal can focus on other things, like enjoying contact, developing a new skill (maybe animal care of some kind) and feeling a sense of contentment or freedom they might not with other people.
Apparently petting an animal helps to calm people down...something about the physical contact is comforting. This has been found to be especially helpful among elderly people with Alzheimers and Dementia, as well as people with disabilities or illness.
In my previous response I also brought up some other benefits of working with a therapy animal, ie. helping children with literacy, etc.
I am sure there are many other applications for therapy animals :)
@RaspberryCup8692 awesome response raspberry
for me, interacting with animals can be calming, because they have very limited expectations. if they don't like something, they let you know, and likewise, if they do like something it shows. this simplified form of communication is very clear, and i never have to wonder what they are really thinking or feeling. they are honest.
@GusteeMoon123 exactly love that response
next question
Do you have an animal? If so, what kind of animal and how does the animal help you?
@creativeOak9590 @purpleHeart16 @RaspberryCup8692 @TheLifeOfKelli @finnthewaffle @1Marg1 @sympatheticNorth2026 @Leeshalyn @GusteeMoon123 @Emily1256
reposting as no response
next question
Do you have an animal? If so, what kind of animal and how does the animal help you?
@creativeOak9590 @purpleHeart16 @RaspberryCup8692 @TheLifeOfKelli @finnthewaffle @1Marg1 @sympatheticNorth2026 @Leeshalyn @GusteeMoon123 @Emily1256
@CaringBrit
i used to have a cat he helped me when I was not feeling good i would hug him
@Emily1256 awww
@CaringBrit
I have two cats at the moment...they help me by keeping me company, especially when I am not feeling well. I have some autoimmune problems and get stuck in bed quite often. One usually sleeps beside my pillow anyhow, but they seem to know when I am really sick and I'll wake up to find one on each side of my head, lol. They also help to ward off loneliness that would be terrible otherwise, spending a lot of time at home alone and not feeling up to doing much.
I apologize for not answering recently - I have been away getting medical treatment in a different city. I have to go back tonight but will return again in a few days.
@RaspberryCup8692 aww thats cute about your cats whats their names? and its ok
next q then
What kind of objective can an animal help you to achieve?
@creativeOak9590 @purpleHeart16 @RaspberryCup8692 @TheLifeOfKelli @finnthewaffle @1Marg1 @sympatheticNorth2026 @Leeshalyn @GusteeMoon123 @Emily1256
@CaringBrit
dogs can help people get outdoors, there are dogs for the blind deaf autistic lots of ways,
stroking an animal can be very soothing and calming, the main thing is to be congruent when handling any animal. If you are angry or scared and try to cover it up the animal will know and react to the hidden emotion.
@warmheartedSoul77 welcome to our discussion if you wish the older questions can still be responded too
love your response stroking dogs are very soothing indeed and definetly can help people get out etc
@warmheartedSoul77
Very good point about the animal detecting and reacting to the hidden emotion...they are such good judges of character
@RaspberryCup8692 i agree they are
@CaringBrit
When I was younger I had severe depression and anxiety...and also a rabbit named Clover. Sometimes all I was able to get done was Clover's care for the day; my psychologist and learning strategist were aware of this and worked her into my therapy. She had some special needs so eventually her care became more involved, which I think helped to keep me grounded somewhat. She was also a great little companion and was litter trained, knew her name when called and could play a couple of games. Clover was a huge help in assisting me with overcoming my mood disorder and anxiety when I was a younger adult.
@RaspberryCup8692 awww thats amazing bet clover was super special to you
i have two old cats. they are beginning to loose functions and slow down. their age is showing on them, but they take it all in stride. this is a good example for me, because cats age so much more quickly than humans. i try to emulate them, and take stock of my abilities, rather than my limitations.
@GusteeMoon123 Aww love that
our next question then
How zootherapy can be a complement to an other type of Therapy
@creativeOak9590 @purpleHeart16 @RaspberryCup8692 @TheLifeOfKelli @finnthewaffle @1Marg1 @sympatheticNorth2026 @Leeshalyn @GusteeMoon123 @Emily1256 @warmheartedSoul77
repOst as no responses
How zootherapy can be a complement to an other type of Therapy
@creativeOak9590 @purpleHeart16 @RaspberryCup8692 @TheLifeOfKelli @finnthewaffle @1Marg1 @sympatheticNorth2026 @Leeshalyn @GusteeMoon123 @Emily1256 @warmheartedSoul77
@CaringBrit
How can zootherapy act as a complement to other types of therapy?
My personal experience with therapy has mainly been with traditional counselling - either with a social worker or psychologist. I have had also the assistance of a learning strategist at times. I have never really officially been a part of animal assisted therapy or zootherapy, but I think it would be a good accompaniment to any of the other forms of help I've mentioned. Interacting with an animal could help one to put some of their coping skills into use, or to develop new ones they might not have otherwise. For example, if someone had a great deal of anxiety, and was advised to try breaking things down into steps, this is something that could be put into practice when learning to ride a horse. Ie. "First do this...then do this..." etc. Really you could apply this to any task, but you would also have all the benefits of working with an animal that we talked about earlier in this discussion.
I think it would be great to try zootherapy in conjunction with any other type of therapy. For now, I am just happy that I can enjoy the company of my pets at home, as they already bring me a great deal of comfort.
@RaspberryCup8692 exactly