Pets as Therapy

Today, October 4, marks the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi in many Christian churches.  St. Francis (c. 1181-1226) is celebrated as the patron saint of animals and ecology, and many churches hold “Blessing of the Animals” services where people may bring their pets to receive blessings.

Bella, my own therapy friend!

Those of us who have pets and love animals, I suspect innately recognize the blessings they bring to our lives.  But as this feast day was approaching, it led me to reflect on the specific contributions pets make to our mental health, and the gifts I see them offering in my therapy work and therapy sessions: 

Companionship and Calming

Above all, pets provide us with companionship and calming.  Being near a pet is known to lower blood pressure, diminish pain, reduce anxiety and improve mood.  Emotionally, they offer companionship and a sense of someone’s physical presence.  For people experiencing isolation and/or loneliness, pets can be particularly important for maintaining mental health.  In our post-pandemic world, with so many people continuing to working from home away from colleagues and social opportunities still not having fully returned to the way they were (or changed permanently), the role of pets in maintaining mental health seems more significant than ever.

Increasing Physical Activity

Canine companions need regular walks, and people who feel depressed and anxious can particularly benefit from this aspect of pet ownership.  Physical activity increases blood flow and circulation to the brain and body, calms the central nervous system, and releases endorphins (‘feel good’ chemicals).   Dog walking can help distract and disrupt pervasive negative thoughts, provide opportunities to be around people without necessarily having to have direct interactions (unless wanted), and provide needed “self-care” time.  People with depression and anxiety may struggle with motivation to do daily tasks or fitting self-care tasks into their daily schedule.  Love for the pet and its needs often overrides these issues, and exercise itself is, of course, more enjoyable when done with a friend, whether human or animal.

Promoting Healthy Love and Attachment Bonds

Pets provide humans with a source of unconditional love.  Interactions with pets are known to increase the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin (creating happiness and a sense of calm), as well as oxytocin (facilitating bonding).  And as described by Amir Levine and Rachel S. F.  Heller in their book Attached, our pets can provide models for us to learn about relationship security and healthy interpersonal interaction (2010, p. 165).  We rarely worry about how our pets will receive us or react to us.  When our pets make a mess or act in a “naughty” fashion, we generally do not take it personally or assume they are conspiring against us as sometimes happens in our relationship with other humans.  When pets want attention, they generally just ask for it, approaching us without worry or reservation.  In short, interactions with our pets involve an easy give and take.  For people who do not experience such security with humans, our animal relationships offer a model or at least an example upon which to reflect.

Facilitating a Therapeutic Alliance in Session

The considerable increase in online therapy from home (such as in my own practice) has in many cases introduced pets into sessions, whether the pet(s) belong to the client or the therapist.  Pets frequently make their presence known, whether just wandering past the screen, in the background, or voicing their barked opinions from afar!  I’ve spent some time considering whether the pets’ presence is more of a benefit or a drawback and, after speaking with some therapist colleagues about their views, have come to the conclusion that they are more beneficial than problematic.  Certainly, loud barking or having my own cat throw up a hairball (yes, it’s happened!) in the background is not ideal and can disrupt the process.  Yet, I find mutual pet ownership offers a way of strengthening my relationship with clients and they appreciate my interest in their animals and talking about them.  Knowing, for example, a client is interacting with or exercising a pet regularly is also useful knowledge for me as a therapist in being aware of resources and strengths clients are applying.  I also sense the presence of animals can make some clients more comfortable opening up about difficult issues at the beginning of therapy.

A couple of years ago, I was given a gift of a tea towel that said “The best therapist has four legs and fur.”  I feel there is much truth in that.  Be sure to give your pet a hug to thank them for the therapy they provide.