Guest Column: Unleashing the power of animal-assisted healing

Sonal (name changed) moves the pen in her hand nervously between her fingers. As her mother continues to talk about her latest diagnosis—obsessive-compulsive disorder, or obsessive-compulsive disorder with chronic anxiety—the speed at which the pen jumps between fingers increases, until it finally falls to the floor, earning a disapproving look from her mother. Sonal is in sixth grade, and has trouble getting up to go to school in the morning, can’t even drink a glass of milk (let alone eat), and has sweaty hands most of the time. Concentration problems and panic attacks are not uncommon; Add to this her obsession with having to arrange her personal and school belongings in a certain way or order, otherwise this leads to more anxiety.

“I’ve never been an animal lover, which could explain why I’ve never owned a pet before. However, when my best friend decided to take Sonal and me on a surprise visit to an animal NGO near me, and I saw my daughter’s reaction to the animals there, She realized that the answer might be to adopt an animal, and Sonal’s visits to the animal shelter confirmed that she had to relax and release her deep-rooted anxiety, which seemed to ease a little with each visit. And then one day, her treatment continued The beauty found her ‘partner in crime’, a black and white year-old Indi, who had lost his leg in an accident. ‘Love at first sight,’ says Madhu, Sonal’s mother. .

Sonal’s schedule at the animal shelter still consists mainly of feeding the puppies, with whom she feels very comfortable and safe. The feeling of wanting to care and care for another living being helps the child relax, unwind, and take the focus off his obsessive behavior. Ladli is an inspiration to the young Sonal to overcome challenges no matter the circumstances. “It brings me hope and underscores the fact that nothing lasts forever – not even bad times,” says Sonal.

Anjana (name changed) was 33 years old and suffering from terminal brain cancer. Her partner highlights the difficult journey they both had to go through. “It was a nightmare when she was diagnosed, but then the worst part came: as the treatment began, as hope began to fade. The feeling of losing her and watching her die in front of my eyes every day, with no hope in sight, was traumatic,” says Mayank, Anjana’s partner. For both of us.

It so happened that about that time a female dog in the colony had given birth to a litter, the weakest of which attracted the attention of the couple. “It was winter, and this little thing was suffering, but what caught my attention was its never-say-die attitude. Somehow, it resonated with us. We named our new family member Spark. It eased Anjana’s pain-filled journey: hugs, kisses, devotion In her eyes, Mayank says, “You stood by me and Anjana like a rock and helped me overcome the grief of loss that followed.”

“It would have been difficult to overcome the depression if it weren’t for Spark. It’s been four years since then, but she always spends time in Anjana’s room, as if she’s communicating with her in some way.

All of the above conditions are indirectly or directly related to animal-assisted therapy – a therapeutic intervention that integrates animals, such as horses, dogs, cats, and birds, into the treatment plan, and is used to enhance and complement the benefits of animal-assisted therapy. Traditional treatment. Animal-assisted therapy is rooted in the bond that can develop between people and animals. Animals can provide a sense of calm, comfort, security, and a distraction away from a stressful situation and toward one that provides pleasure. They can help combat loneliness and promote social support, whether through interactions with the animal or interactions involving other people. Animals can prompt people to engage in more physical activity than they would otherwise. Advocates of animal-assisted therapy say that developing a relationship with an animal can help people develop a better sense of self-worth and confidence, stabilize their emotions, and improve communication, self-regulation and socialization skills.

The role of therapy animals in helping terminally ill patients on their journey, in education as part of outreach classes, and in rehabilitation has been proven many times over. Being the mother of a special child, I can attest to the calming effect that my companion animal, Moto, has on me in very stressful situations, even though he is not quite in the prime of his life. Cuddling next to him or just being around him is very reassuring. Surprisingly, Moto is very aware of emotions, and when it’s time for tears or joy, he knows it and adjusts his behavior accordingly! For my daughter, Suriyasi, the joy is in exploring Motu through his coat: she simply loves petting him, moving his fur with her little hands. The important lesson she learned over time was to loosen her grip on him, and to guard himself accordingly – boundaries are important, as is respect for others. The balance these two have achieved over time is remarkable.

It brings to mind a famous quote by George Eliot: “Animals are gentle friends. They ask no questions; They don’t pass any criticism.

I would say it is far removed from the human world.