Benefits of Pet Therapy

Interaction with a gentle, friendly animal has been shown to have significant benefits:​


Physical Health

  • Lowers blood pressure
  • Improves cardiovascular health
  • Releases endorphins that have a calming effect
  • Diminishes overall physical pain
  • Act of petting produces an automatic relaxation response

Mental Health

  • Lifts spirits and lessens depression
  • Decreases feelings of isolation
  • Encourages communication
  • Provides comfort
  • Increases socialization
  • Reduces boredom
  • Lowers anxiety
  • Helps children overcome speech and emotional disorders
  • Creates motivation to recover faster

Reading Programs for Children​

  • Helps children focus better
  • Improves literacy skills
  • Provides non-stressful, non-judgmental environment
  • Increases self-confidence

Physical or Occupational Therapy

  • Increases joint movement and improves recovery time
  • Maintains or increases motor skills
  • Provides motivation to move more, stretch farther, exercise longer