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Key points
- Animal-assisted therapy enhances teenagers' social skills.
- Interacting with animals increases positive emotions and alleviates negative emotions.
- Animal therapy helps teenagers decrease difficult behaviors.
Animal-assisted therapy (AAT), also known as pet therapy, is a form of therapy that utilizes pets to enhance individuals' physical, social, emotional, and cognitive functioning, as defined by the American Psychological Association. A wide range of animals, including dogs, cats, horses, farm animals, birds, fish, and even interactive robotic animals, can be used for AAT.
Research suggests that animal-assisted therapy can have a significant positive impact on the development of teenagers, particularly those facing challenges in their lives. In cases of working with teenagers with serious difficulties, incorporating animal-assisted therapy requires thoughtful planning, coordination, and professional guidance.
Trained therapists and professionals who specialize in animal-assisted therapy can provide appropriate interventions and ensure the safety and well-being of both the teenagers and the animals involved. They can assess the specific needs of each teenager and select suitable animal companions to facilitate the therapeutic process effectively.
Additionally, AAT should not be seen as a standalone treatment, but rather as a complementary approach to traditional therapy method. Here are six key benefits that animal-assisted therapy offers to adolescents, with references from my book How to Communicate Effectively and Handle Difficult Teenagers.
1. Improve Social Skills
Engaging with animals can have profound psychological benefits for teenagers, especially those with social skills challenges. Interacting with animals frequently involves verbal speech, providing an opportunity for adolescents to practice and develop their communication skills. Additionally, discussing pets with others can serve as an excellent conversation starter for parents or guardians looking to connect with their teenagers.
2. Increase Affection & Decrease Loneliness
Adolescents often experience emotional connectedness and reduced feelings of isolation through their interactions with animals. Simple activities such as petting a cat or dog or feeding fish or birds can evoke positive emotions and bring a smile to a young adult's face, fostering a sense of affection and companionship.
3. Increase Positive Emotions
Animal-assisted therapy is well-known for its emotional benefits. By engaging with animals, teenagers can experience increased bonding, security, and a decrease in stress and anxiety. The presence of animals serves as a positive distraction from the many stressors adolescents may face, providing comfort, support, and a sense of reassurance.
4. Decrease Negative Emotions
Animal-assisted therapy has been found to be effective in reducing negative emotions, including stress and anxiety, in teenagers. The calming presence of suitable animals can help adolescents relax and find solace during challenging times. The therapeutic relationship built with animals provides a safe and non-judgmental space where teenagers can find comfort and emotional support.
5. Decrease Difficult Behaviors
Suitable animal pairings can positively influence teenagers' emotional well-being, leading to a reduction in negative expressions such as anger, outbursts, and irritability. Interacting with animals can foster a sense of calmness and promote more cooperative behavior among adolescents, as well as between adolescents and adults.
6. Enhance Developmental Maturity and Responsibility
Animal-assisted therapy, particularly when working with well-trained animals, can enhance teenagers' sense of control over their lives and environment. The presence of animals that respond to their names or perform simple tricks when trained reinforces the adolescent's locus of control. Furthermore, the responsibility of caring for an animal, such as feeding and cleaning, instills a sense of importance and maturity in teenagers.
Animal-assisted therapy offers numerous benefits for the mental, emotional, and social development of teenagers. It promotes improved social skills, increased positive emotions, decreased negative emotions, mitigation of difficult behaviors, and enhanced developmental maturity. These findings highlight the value of incorporating animals into therapeutic interventions for adolescents, ultimately contributing to their overall well-being and growth. For resources on how to communicate successfully with teenagers and animal-assisted therapy, see references below.
© 2023 by Preston C. Ni
References
Ni, Preston. How to Communicate Effectively and Handle Difficult Teenagers. PNCC. (2015)
Hoagwood, K.E., etc. Animal-Assisted Therapies for Youth with or at Risk for Mental Health Problems: A Systematic Review. Appl Dev Sci. (2016)
Piper, Lynn J., etc. Adolescents and Pets. Clinician's Guide to Treating Companion Animal Issues. (2019)
Trujillo, K. C., etc. Engaging Adolescents: Animal Assisted Therapy for Adolescents with Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders. (2020)
