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02 April 2014 09:40

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Pets can not only lift your spirits, but also help treat serious illnesses such as central palsy, schizophrenia, Down syndrome and autism. Communication with cats, dogs and horses helps to find harmony, and the amazing abilities of bees and leeches help improve health.

April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day. This mental disorder occurs due to disorders of brain development. People with this disease are withdrawn and avoid almost any communication and interaction with others. They can be socialized and adapted to the world around them through long-term special education programs and behavioral therapy. This should be started at an early stage of life, and best of all in childhood. Zootherapy, also known as pet therapy and animal therapy, can be used as one of the techniques that reduces the severity of symptoms and maladaptive behavior.

Impact[ | ]

Scientists have identified a beneficial effect on humans when communicating with animals, as well as the possibility of using the sensory properties (sense of smell) of dogs to diagnose human ailments. Today, many different studies are being conducted to study the influence of animals on people. K. Allen

), a researcher at the State University of New York at Buffalo, is studying the health benefits of animals. K. Allen notes that dogs can help people cope with stress, although so far no one can explain the mechanism by which this happens.

Also S. Barker (eng. Sandra B. Barker

) and Kathryn
S. Dawson
from the School of Medicine at the University of Virginia studied the effect of therapy dogs on the anxiety levels of hospitalized psychiatric patients with a wide range of diagnoses. The experiment revealed that animal-assisted therapy is more effective than traditional psychotherapy[3]. Almost all patients showed significant reduction in anxiety levels thanks to the animals. The exception was people with highly pronounced degrees of addiction.

To one degree or another, therapy with the use of animals appears to have a positive effect on the following diseases and conditions:

• Affective disorders[3] (in particular, depression[4]).
• Psychoses[3][5][4].
• Anxiety, distress[6].
• Autism[7].
• Childhood mental trauma[7].
• Post-traumatic stress disorder[4].
• Epilepsy.
• Multiple sclerosis[4].
• Cerebral palsy.
• Dementia[8][4].
• Cardiovascular disorders[8].
• In rehabilitation after injuries, strokes.
• When providing palliative care to terminally ill patients. In 2011, nearly 60 percent of American hospices using complementary medicine used it to treat animals.
• When providing assistance to elderly people in nursing homes[9].

Summary

There are also other animals that are used for treatment, namely dogs, horses, fish, rodents and even reptiles.

Based on the above, we can safely say that zootherapy exists and is actively used in other countries. Perhaps we should listen to the opinion of scientists and borrow this method of treatment?

In our country, treatment with animals is also used. In Crimea and not only - dolphin therapy .

In many cities of Russia, treatment with dogs is used - Canistherapy , and hippotherapy - treatment with horses.

And it is also recommended to visit zoos and aquariums more, and in general, give your teenager a small pet so that he can care for it, love it, and be responsible for it.

The child will be happy with such a gift, and you will observe significant changes in his or her behavior and health.

History[ | ]

Canistherapy is a separate discipline of pet therapy.

(from Latin canis - dog), treatment of patients with the help of a dog. The basic principles of pet therapy are formulated on the basis of canistherapy.

The history of canistherapy dates back to 1796, when the Retreat hospital for the mentally ill was founded by the Society of Friends in the English county of Yorkshire. The founder of the hospital, William Tuke, and his associates replaced the traditional method of treating the mentally ill with straitjackets and drugs with the Christian principles of compassion, love, understanding and trust, and began to use dogs in treatment. Hospital doctors noted the positive effect of animals on patients; their aggression and frequency of attacks decreased[10].

Also, American child psychiatrist Boris Levinson noticed how his young patients reacted positively to his dog, which was in the waiting room during a treatment session, and subsequently proposed using these animals to treat mental disorders[11]. He first used the term “pet therapy” in 1969[12].

Man has long suspected the healing properties of dogs on an intuitive level, which is reflected in religion and mythology. In Ancient Greece, dogs played a major role in the cult of the god of healing Asclepius (Aesculapius), who often visited patients in the form of a dog and licked the wounds of the sick. The saints of early Christianity were often depicted in the company of the dogs that once nursed them back to health.

Nowadays, scientists have found that a hypersensitive sense of smell helps dogs identify a rare combination of proteins in malignant tumors; dogs are able to anticipate an epileptic seizure at least 20 minutes in advance, and distinguish the clothes of healthy children from children suffering from autism. An analysis of the dog's saliva showed that it contained lysozyme, an antiseptic.

According to Animal Planet research, the first in the history of canistherapy is the legendary Yorkshire terrier Smoky

). Smokey was enlisted in the 26th Reconnaissance Wing of the 5th US Air Force, went through World War II, earned 8 military awards and received the rank of corporal. Smokey worked in hospitals as a therapy dog ​​for 12 years during and after World War II.[13]

The history of the diagnosis of diseases using dogs[ | ]

The idea of ​​using dogs as a diagnostic tool for patients was inspired by people's stories about their pets. For example, Paul Jackson

) told the doctor that his dog Tinker
always
warned about the development of hypoglycemia (a decrease in glucose levels after an excessive dose of insulin). These data were confirmed by scientists from Queen's University in Belfast. 212 owners of dogs with diabetes were surveyed. In 65% of patients, the animals anticipated the onset of hypoglycemia in the owner. The dogs became restless and began to whine, bark, or otherwise demonstrate their anxiety.

In the American city of Aylesbury, orthopedist John Hunt

) the Cancer and Bio-Detection Dogs research center was founded with the help of dogs.

The doctor decided to check the scattered data on the ability of dogs to recognize various diseases. The first confirmed case of this ability was the “canine” diagnosis of bladder cancer by the smell of urine [14].

Canadian scientists have confirmed the dogs' premonition of an approaching epileptic seizure in children. The research was conducted at the University of Calgary and the Alberta Children's Hospital. Adam Kirton

), the head of the research, said that during the scientific experiment, observations were made of 45 families in which dogs live, where children experience seizures at least once a month. Twenty families reported that their dogs reacted when a seizure was approaching. Ten dogs try to warn a child or seven using different means available to the dog[15].

The head of the Australian Cancer Council, Ian Olver, said that dogs can almost accurately detect lung and breast cancer[16].

Selection of dogs for canistherapy

So that the animal can provide assistance in treatment and the recovery period, it is trained by dog ​​handlers in specialized programs. Such training includes teaching certain commands. Each dog that has undergone training has an appropriate certificate.

Not every dog ​​is suitable for these purposes. And it's not about breed or external data. Research shows that positive results come from interacting with dogs of any breed. And yet, dogs of some breeds are more trainable in this regard and give more effective results. This list includes collies, Labradors, spaniels, St. Bernards, boxers, Newfoundlands, giant schnauzers and terriers.

The character of the animal is of greater importance in kinitherapy. The pet must be balanced, calm, and affectionate. In addition, the pet’s intelligence and its ability to make contact with humans are taken into account as criteria.

Types of pet therapy[ | ]

There are directional

(use of specially trained animals according to developed therapeutic programs) and
non-directed
(interaction with animals at home). Directed animal therapy is divided depending on which animals are used in pet therapy.

Hippotherapy[ | ]

Main article: Hippotherapy

Hippotherapy

- therapeutic horse riding. The ancestor of this type of pet therapy is considered to be the Danish equestrian athlete Lies Hartel. The athlete, having suffered from polio, was partially paralyzed. 9 years of persistent rehabilitation training yielded stunning results; in 1952, at the Olympic Games in Helsinki, Liz Hartel won a silver medal in dressage.

The therapeutic factor of hippotherapy is the complex activation and mobilization of the body - physical and psychological. When riding a horse, you need concentration, the highest possible concentration and the need to remember and plan the sequence of actions, both when riding and when caring for the animal. This activates mental processes. During horse riding, almost all human muscles work, and this happens at the reflex level. Hippotherapy is recommended for children with cerebral palsy, amputation, arthritis, cerebrovascular accidents, traumatic brain injuries, loss of sensory organs, myopathy, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy.

In Finland, since 1992, hippotherapists have been trained, during which it is possible to obtain a second higher education.

Canistherapy[ | ]

Main article: Canistherapy

Canistherapy

(from Latin canis - dog; English Therapy dog) - therapy using dogs; is one of the most popular types of animal-assisted therapy due to its accessibility and social behavior of animals. It is used as an auxiliary psychotherapeutic technique when working with patients who have difficulty making contact; it helps the development of emotional and mental abilities, as well as the development of motor functions. Canistherapy is used to improve the condition of children with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy (CP), and mental retardation. In children, coordination of movements improves, spasticity decreases, and memory improves.

Rehabilitation is the most developed application of canistherapy today[11]. The principle of therapeutic cynology with sick children is based on the fact that classes are held in a playful way and the effect is achieved unobtrusively. Depending on the diagnosis, instructors select a special system of exercises. Children with hearing and speech impairments are taught to pronounce words, and they are more motivated in the presence of animals. For children with cerebral palsy, in order to develop motor functions of the arms and legs, they are offered to perform certain movements.

Canistherapy is the subject of in-depth theoretical research. As studies by Russian and foreign specialists show, canistherapy is highly effective in overcoming problems associated with social maladaptation of orphanage residents[17].

The dog is a social animal, thereby focusing on the people around it, sincere in love and devoted. Based on these qualities, experts are developing various programs with the participation of therapy dogs to eliminate deprivation symptoms in orphanage residents. With the help of canistherapy, children develop positive social attitudes, develop communication skills, and relieve critical emotional stress[18].

According to research from the Research Institute of Pediatrics of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, training with dogs improves the psycho-emotional state of young patients, improves motor skills, reduces the number of epileptic seizures, taciturn children begin to speak more, and children with reduced (acquired or innate) emotionality begin to show the ability to actively respond to the world around them. . In April 2004, the manual “Therapeutic Cynology” was published in Russia[19].

Canistherapy has proven itself to improve psychological well-being in hospices and psychiatric clinics. In the 90s in the United States, the Department of Health officially allowed the presence of dogs in clinics as medical personnel. Since then, many hospitals have dogs on their staff who receive a salary and enjoy all sorts of social privileges. The presence of animals helps patients overcome hospital loneliness and alienation, and better prepare for the upcoming operation[20]. Canistherapy and related research have also developed in Russian psychiatry[21].

A black Labrador retriever named Marin is recognized as the best in the world at sniffing out cancer cells. The dog was cloned in the laboratory of the South Korean biotechnology company RNL Bio. Two puppies trained to detect cancerous tumors are going to be sold for 500 million won[22].

Dolphin therapy[ | ]

Dolphin therapy

- a type of medical and psychological rehabilitation with questionable effectiveness[23]. Proponents of the effectiveness of dolphin therapy recommend it for health improvement and medical and psychological rehabilitation for those people who have suffered severe psychological trauma (those in extreme conditions, survivors of earthquakes, hurricanes, accidents and any other severe stress).

In 2005, the International Institute of The Dolphin Therapy was created. The Institute developed the first official dolphin therapy program (Dolphin Assisted Therapy - DAT), and also received a patent for the “Method of treatment with ultrasound therapy using controlled radiation from a dolphin sonar.” The principle of sonophoresis treatment is based on the ultrasound effect of a dolphin. The physiological effect of ultrasound treatment is characterized by significant changes in the bioelectrical activity of the brain[24].

Dolphin therapy is criticized in the scientific community due to the lack of evidence of its effectiveness. In their scientific work, cetologist Laurie Marino and clinical psychologist Scott Lilienfeld, published in 2007, write[23]:

Main indications for the course

• cerebral palsy (CP);
• early childhood autism (ECA);
• Down syndrome and other genetic pathology;
• minimal brain dysfunction (MMD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD);
• functional disorders of the central nervous system (CNS);
• mental retardation (except severe), speech and hearing disorders;
• sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL);
• neuroses, post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD);
• depressive disorders of a non-endogenous nature (subdepressive level);
• memory disorders, learning disabilities.

Contraindications

• epilepsy;
• acute infectious diseases;
• cancer patients;
• standard contraindications for rehabilitation treatment in a sanatorium-resort facility.

Felinotherapy[ | ]

Felinotherapy

(Latin felis - cat) - these are methods of prevention and treatment of various diseases through contact with cats. As therapists in England and the USA who worked in specialized clinics for mentally retarded children found out, cats provide serious assistance to people suffering from mental illness, heart disorders, brain damage, and even contribute to the complete healing of those addicted to alcohol and drugs[25]. People with mental disorders perceive the presence of a cat without the slightest irritation. Communication with cats is indicated for depression, neuroses, mania and schizophrenia. The cat, in fact, does not do anything unusual, it simply caresses the patient, licks his hands and face. Its warmth and calming rumbling allow the patient to relax.

A cat's purr helps heal wounds and strengthen bones, according to scientists from the Animal Communication Institute in North Carolina, who study the sounds of the cat family[26][ unauthorized source?

].

Apitherapy[ | ]

Apitherapy

- treatment with bee venom (not recommended for people with allergic reactions). Bee venom contains 18 of the 20 essential amino acids, inorganic acids, many chemical elements and vitamins and is a powerful catalyst for physiological processes. Used to treat multiple sclerosis and varicose veins[27].

Entomotherapy[ | ]

Entomotherapy is the use of various insects for medicinal purposes. Type of zootherapy. Since ancient times, insects have been considered pests and carriers of various infections. But these creatures can heal people. Many insects are now actively used in medicine.

For example, ant venom in folk medicine is considered no less useful than bee venom.

Cats - and their effect on health

Among animals that “treat”, cats occupy the first place. These animals not only improve a person’s emotional background, but also treat insomnia.

Doctors recommend that people with heart problems have a cat on their household. There is a statement that with high blood pressure, contact with a cat leads to its rapid decrease.

The behavior of cats allows you to stay close to her for a long time, which has a beneficial effect not only on the physical, but also on the emotional state of a person.

There are suggestions that cats are attracted to negative energy and therefore are able to accurately identify the place that radiates pain.

British scientists claim that the methods for the beneficial effects of cats and cats are different from each other. For example, cats specialize in osteochondrosis, radiculitis and arthritis, while cats have shown excellent results in treating completely different diseases - internal organs, the nervous system.

Notes[ | ]

1. Anna Margolina
   Therapy dogs (Magazine “Chaika” #19(54) dated October 7, 2005)
2. Pets are our friends and healers :: donbass.ua - Donbass news (unspecified)
   (inaccessible link). Retrieved January 24, 2010. Archived July 30, 2013.
3. ↑ 1 2 3 Barker SB, Dawson KS
   The effects of animal-assisted therapy on anxiety ratings of hospitalized psychiatric patients. (English) // Psychiatric Services (Washington, DC). - 1998. - June (vol. 49, no. 6). — P. 797—801. - doi:10.1176/ps.49.6.797. — PMID 9634160. []
4. ↑ 1 2 3 4 5 Charry-Sánchez JD, Pradilla I., Talero-Gutiérrez C.
   Animal-assisted therapy in adults: A systematic review. (English) // Complementary Therapies In Clinical Practice. — 2020. — August (vol. 32). - P. 169-180. - doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.06.011. — PMID 30057046. []
5. Harper C. Animal Assisted Therapy: The Role of Dogs as a Therapeutic Intervention. Medical Research Archives, [Sl], v. 5, n. April 4 2020. ISSN 2375-1924.
6. Ein N., Li L., Vickers K.
   The effect of pet therapy on the physiological and subjective stress response: A meta-analysis. (English) // Stress And Health: Journal Of The International Society For The Investigation Of Stress. — 2020. — October (vol. 34, no. 4). - P. 477-489. - doi:10.1002/smi.2812. — PMID 29882342. []
7. ↑ 1 2 Hoagwood KE, Acri M., Morrissey M., Peth-Pierce R.
   Animal-Assisted Therapies for Youth with or at risk for Mental Health Problems: A Systematic Review. (English) // Applied Developmental Science. — 2020. — Vol. 21, no. 1. - P. 1-13. - doi:10.1080/10888691.2015.1134267. — PMID 28798541. []
8. ↑ 1 2 Creagan ET, Bauer BA, Thomley BS, Borg JM
   Animal-assisted therapy at Mayo Clinic: The time is now. (English) // Complementary Therapies In Clinical Practice. — 2020. — May (vol. 21, no. 2). - P. 101-104. - doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.03.002. — PMID 25900612. []
9. Sollami A., Gianferrari E., Alfieri M., Artioli G., Taffurelli C.
   Pet therapy: an effective strategy to care for the elderly? An experimental study in a nursing home. (English) // Acta Bio-medica: Atenei Parmensis. — 2020. — March 14 (vol. 88, no. 1S). - P. 25-31. — PMID 28327492. []
10. The most interesting and mysterious facts about man. From cradle to hearse. Healing dogs
11. ↑ 12
    Four-legged doctors or what pet therapy is - Medinfo.ru - Medical reference and information system for patients
12. The Shaggy Doctor - Point of view - South and North Caucasus - interfax-russia.ru
13. The most heroic Yorkshire Terrier Smokey - Yorkshire Terrier, about the Yorkshire Terrier dog breed
14. Nose diagnosis » DogWeb - Daily dog ​​news. Atlas of dog breeds. Articles about dogs. Standards, rules, regulations
15. Ethology: Ethology News
16. AMI-TASS :: Dogs are able to recognize cancer in the early stages, say Australian scientists (inaccessible link) (inaccessible link from 05/11/2013 [2665 days])
17. Therapy dog ​​helps doctors save lives
18. Canistherapy Archived September 7, 2012.
19. SB.BY - Tailed healers (inaccessible link)
20. Copper bracelet - traditional medicine - Pet-therapy (inaccessible link from 05/11/2013 [2665 days])
21. Ostroglazov V.G.
    About psychiatric syndromology, zoopsychotherapy and other topics of the NPA Bulletin 2012.2 // Independent Psychiatric Journal. - 2012. - No. 3.
22. Cancer-sniffing dog cloned and auctioned | Mood. Women's magazine. Advice from a family psychologist
23. ↑ 1 2 Lori Marino, Scott O. Lilienfeld.
    Dolphin-Assisted Therapy: More Flawed Data and More Flawed Conclusions // Anthrozoös. - 2007. - Vol. 20, iss. 3. - P. 239–249. — ISSN 0892-7936. - doi:10.2752/089279307X224782.
24. Dolphin therapy and sonophoresis. International Institute of Dolphin Therapy
25. Cat therapy :: Private Correspondent
26. Cat is the best doctor
27. Apitherapy as a treatment method
28. Delta Society Australia