Dogs bring ample amounts of joy and happiness to everyone they come in contact with. And with all the known benefits of having and spending time with dogs, it’s now being discovered that dogs can greatly assist with pain management. When assessing patients with chronic pain, up to 23% felt considerably less pain and distress after a visit from a dog than those with alternate methods of pain management. It’s now being suggested that in addition to traditional pain relief and different practices of mindful and purposeful meditation practices, the inclusion of dog therapy is an exceptional way to manage symptoms of chronic pain.
Animal Assisted Therapy Basics
Dogs are certainly the most popular and commonly used with pet therapy, but cats, birds, fish, and even horses are all used with this practice. The particular patient’s settings and individual needs will determine the best use of pet therapy, but the use of dogs has been most heavily evaluated. Particularly with the ease of pain, it’s been demonstrated that dogs help increase endorphins, levels of Oxycontin, and greatly uplift moods. Their use in therapy varies from occasional visits to the home or hospital, to more intensive with a daily service dog.
Psychological Benefits
The use of therapy dogs go beyond the basics of the physical need for them. Those with chronic pain may use a dog for functionality, such as with walking and assisting with fetching items. But it is now emerging that the emotional and psychological benefits of the bond between humans and dogs are having a very positive effect on those living with chronic pain. Even just the action of stroking the dogs has been linked to lower blood pressure and heart rate, and bringing on an incredibly calming effect. The emotional support offered by their presence is proving to be putting people at ease, and ultimately taking their mind off their pain.
Stress Management
A large aspect of daily pain management is combating stress that the ailment is causing. It has been suggested that a third of patients in a pain clinic have major depression, which is caused by the stresses of their pain and dealing with it on a daily basis. For this reason, stress management is a top priority for many. The use of dogs greatly assists in this aspect. In fact, dogs have been so effective in lowering stress levels in humans that they are being introduced in the workplace at an incredible rate. Regardless of the cause of the stress, the principles remain the same with the inclusion of a dog. Interacting and playing with dogs invigorates energy, lowers anxiety, and increases feelings of happiness.
When managing pain, multiple methods and interventions are needed and used. The inclusion of dogs and pet therapy most certainly has its benefits, and can positively aid in an individual’s recovery and management. It is largely being regarded as a great addition to other methods, such as medication, physical therapy, mindfulness meditations, and behavioral therapy. The use of dogs will certainly continue to increase and become more commonplace as the benefits and advantages continue to be discovered.
By Chrissy Phillips
