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By Layla Martinez
While many schools, such as Granada High School in Livermore, bring in therapy dogs during finals week to help students relieve their stress of the exams, the use of therapy dogs and other animals has begun to be used in other types of treatment.
As the opioid crisis continues to impact many communities, one unexpected source of support that is helping people recover is their pets.
Opioid addiction affects both the body and mind, often leaving people feeling alone and overwhelmed. While therapy, medication, and support groups can be essential parts of recovery, pets have the ability to provide constant companionship.
Dogs, cats, and other animals also help create structure in daily life. Simple tasks like feeding, walking, and grooming a pet give individuals a sense of routine, which can be especially helpful when trying to rebuild stability.
The Addiction Center reported that interacting with animals can reduce anxiety and stress by lowering people’s cortisol levels. Due to this, many rehab centers are beginning to use animal based therapy with all sorts of animals like cats, birds, rabbits, horses and, of course, dogs.
For pet owners going through recovery, those pets are able to provide them with a judgment free companion. An article from American Addiction Centers claims that pets can help their owners engage in physical activities and ongoing socialization, in addition to the responsibility gained from owning a pet.
While other animals can be used for therapies, the most common are dogs. Even the simple act of petting a dog can produce a hormone called oxytocin, a hormone released by positive social interactions and physical touch. The hormone creates a bonding effect, promoting feelings of well–being and making the owner feel more secure, which can assist the recovery process. For some, this emotional stability can make a large difference in avoiding relapsing.
Dogs in particular give their owners the ability to feel any and all emotions, as dogs tend to reflect the emotions their owners are feeling. This allows the people recovering to identify and control their emotions in a stable manner.
With more recovery centers embracing animal therapy into their recovery programs, it has been shown that incorporating pets into rehabilitation programs can enhance treatment outcomes. Research done by Overcome Wellness and Recovery, an addiction treatment center in New Jersey, has shown that animal-assisted therapy can not only improve motivation, but can also raise engagement in many different treatments, and reduce the possibility of a relapse happening.
At the end of the day, recovery is about much more than just breaking the cycle of addiction, it is about rebuilding someone’s life. That process might begin with a loyal and furry companion by their side.
This article was written as part of a program to educate youth and others about Alameda County’s opioid crisis, prevention and treatment options. The program is funded by the Alameda County Behavioral Health Department and the grant is administered by Three Valleys Community Foundation.
