Otherwise, animal therapy is called pet therapy or animal therapy. These unifying terms contain up to ten different names that characterize individual groups of animals.

The direction of treating mental disorders and various physical and personal disorders through “communication” between a person and a specially trained animal was developed back in the 18th century.

Origin of the method

Animal therapy began with the use of ordinary domesticated dogs as the first healers. Unexpected helpers first appeared in 1796 at a philanthropic clinic for mentally ill people, organized through the efforts of the British humanist William Tuke.

This method of treatment did not correspond to generally accepted scientific standards and met with strong resistance from the public. However, studying the mental state of the clinic’s patients a short time after the introduction of four-legged assistants to the staff significantly reduced the aggressive attacks of conservative opponents.

It was proven that by communicating with animals on a primitive tactile level and having the opportunity to provide minimal care to dogs (walking them, combing them, participating in feeding), patients began to react more calmly to surrounding stimuli. There have even been cases of former clinic patients returning to full social life.

But the influence of the conservatism of that time turned out to be too strong, and the method was not allowed to develop into an official direction of medicine.

This happened only in the middle of the 20th century. American psychiatrist Boris Levinson, conducting therapy sessions at his home, was amazed to see the reaction of one of his young patients, a nine-year-old autistic person, to the doctor’s dog, which was usually kept locked, suddenly entering the office. Without making contact with anyone, the child began to play with big dog and allowing him to touch himself, which meant an unprecedented breakthrough in treatment.

From that moment on, Jingle began to participate in most of the doctor’s meetings with patients, and the mental state of many of them noticeably improved.

Levingston's colleagues, who greeted the new method of animal therapy with ridicule, had to quiet their criticism when it became known that Freud himself used his dog Yofi as the main assistant during psychiatric sessions.

The essence of zootherapy

The main focus of animal therapy is working with children and adolescents who have communication difficulties or impaired motor functions. The last use of the method, which has become very important, is adaptive therapy for children with Down syndrome. Animals, as if taking on the capabilities of a sick child and always moving one step ahead, together with him overcome important steps in the socialization of the individual and physical development.

The psychological aspect of the method accounts for 90% of the positive results of animal therapy. A child, tired of serious treatment, perceives communication sessions with a four-legged friend as encouragement, a joyful event, a game that allows him to try on new roles.

The animal is not able to respond, but it reacts sensitively to any sounds and touches, so the patient does not experience stress from a feeling of misunderstanding, does not worry about encountering aggression or ridicule. He reveals himself most fully and himself initiates the urge to action - to start a dialogue with people or to take the first independent steps.

It is not uncommon for a series of 10-15 sessions of animal therapy to be comparable in value to a full course of strong antidepressants or nootropics, but at the same time devoid of a huge amount side effects and contraindications.

The next 10% of success depends on stimulation at the physiological level. For example, during dolphin therapy, the child’s body is immersed in water and, at a reflex level, begins to interact with the elements, performing simple movements. A specially trained dolphin nearby enhances this interaction, forcing the patient to demonstrate enhanced motor skills for the convenience of mutual play.

Approximately the same effect, but with minor nuances, is observed when communicating with other animals - comprehensive stimulation is used everywhere.

Forms of animal-assisted therapy

Animal therapy is not always intentional. This situation is possible if you have your own pet at home, communication with which brings pleasure to family members. Exotic animals can also play this role, but most often you can hear about the healing effects of a cat or dog on a person. This form of unintentional treatment is called “undirected pet therapy.”

Another form - directed therapy - involves the involvement of a trained four-legged healer in the process. Before being allowed to visit people in need of treatment, animals undergo multiple tests for resistance to stress, patience, and lack of aggression. Specialists constantly work with them, and the animals themselves are kept in conditions of increased comfort.

Main functions of the method

Animal therapy (hippotherapy, ichthyotherapy, etc.) has main goals that must be achieved during one or more courses of treatment. Conventionally, the overall effect of animal-assisted therapy can be divided into a number of narrowly focused functions, however, it should be understood that even when choosing only one direction, the patient one way or another receives the entire “range of services”, since the animal will “give all its best”.

• Interaction at the psychophysiological level. It is formed on the basis of tactile contact with the pet, in games, in the process of caring for the pet.
• Psychological impact. It consists of different situations, but is most often used to develop a sense of responsibility in the patient, to distract from serious problems, to increase self-esteem and a sense of self-worth.
• For the purpose of rehabilitation after injuries or for partial elimination of congenital physical and mental pathologies.
• Expanding the comfort zone for people with phobias and serious complexes that interfere with social adaptation.

Having a pet as a family member has been proven to help people cope with depression and feelings of loneliness. For many patients suffering from anthropophobia (fear of people), a silent interlocutor has even become a ticket to an active, full life in society.

Indications

• diagnoses of cerebral palsy, autism;
• mental disorders, neuroses;
• disruption of the organs of speech, hearing and vision;
• underdevelopment of motor, mental, mental functions;
• Down syndrome;
• congenital or acquired heart and vascular defects;
• birth and other injuries.

Children with musculoskeletal disorders are referred separately for dolphin and hippotherapy.

Types of therapeutic effects by animals

What is animal therapy called, indicating a specific species? In the territory Russian Federation The following types of animal-assisted treatment are officially used:

• Ichthyotherapy is communication with dolphins in their native aquatic environment.
• Canistherapy – working with dogs of various breeds.
• Hippotherapy – communication with a horse and horse riding.
• Felinotherapy – interaction with cats. Most often used as a non-targeted treatment.

Canistherapy is considered the most universal and widespread, however, in the process of long-term treatment of children with congenital defects of various etiologies, they try to use all types of therapy with animals. When working with children who are deprived of the ability to move, realistic images of animals and recordings of the friendly sounds they make (for example, dolphin songs) can also be used.

Canistherapy

For each individual case, the canister selects a special dog in accordance with the patient’s character and the doctor’s prescription. For a teenager or adult who has problems with socialization, large individuals of calm, phlegmatic breeds are selected. The same dog will be recommended to parents of inactive children - you can lie on it, pet it and feel it for a long time.

Cheerful, active dogs are used for group and individual lessons with active, energetic children. One hour of such a game will help the child throw out accumulated energy, fill him with positive emotions, relieve aggression, tearfulness, and the threat of hysterical attacks.

Dogs are often used to relieve early fears associated with unpleasant experiences with other animals. Subconsciously, a person associates the image of a dog with fidelity, selfless devotion, and reliable friendship, so even the depth of a child’s phobia, as a rule, does not withstand several sessions of such therapy.

Dolphin therapy

Not only people with disappointing diagnoses are referred for ichthyotherapy, but also pregnant women, and even those who are unable to conceive a child. It's all about ultrasounds, which dolphins emit in the form of abrupt, squawking screams or drawn-out, clicking songs - the power of their impact is so great that in a dolphinarium with several talking animals, sensitive equipment can break down! Dolphin conversations have only a positive effect on the human body, and children feel this especially subtly.

Dolphin therapy involves short, no more than 25 minutes, sessions of communication with animals. And this time, multiplied by 8-10 meetings, is enough for a long-term positive emotional reserve. Tactile therapy with animals only enhances the effect, and children willingly stroke the sides and fins of these unusual healers.

Hippotherapy

In addition to the unique effect on the pelvic muscles from a leisurely ride on horseback in a specially equipped horse saddle, communication with this amazing animal is filled with positivity and calm peace.

For children and adolescents with mobility impairments, the sensation of movement associated with the close proximity of a powerful animal is a lesson in boundless trust and the discovery of new possibilities. Gradually, self-confidence and a sense of security in the process of communicating with a horse develops into an invaluable experience of communication in society.

Felinotherapy

Everyone knows about the energy potential of a homemade Murka. As well as the incredible ability of a cat to recognize the weak points of the human body. The cat picks up the psycho-emotional background of the person in contact with it, and when it receives disturbing impulses, with its caresses it forces the owner to provide a tactile response in the form of stroking. At these moments, the human body uncontrollably sends a response - increased synthesis of oxytocin, which, when released into the blood, causes a psycho-emotional feeling of tenderness, love, and the desire to do good.

People with a history of heart and vascular disease notice that after interacting with a cat, blood pressure levels often return to normal, tachycardia stops, and heart pain goes away. Insulin-dependent diabetics feel less need for drugs to lower blood sugar, since the main cause of increased glucose levels - stress - is suppressed in the presence of a pet.

In a house where there are small children and a cat lives at the same time, they are less likely to encounter pediatric and ENT diseases, allergies, and gastric disorders.

Contraindications to the method

Contraindications to zootherapy include both general and local factors. The following are considered common:

• acute infectious diseases in humans;
• a deliberately negative attitude towards such treatment;
• severe mental disorders.

Local contraindications include individual intolerance to animal hair, saliva, dander, as well as a negative reaction of the specific individual with whom treatment is intended. In the latter case, the specialist will have to replace the animal, since it is impossible to achieve a good result if the patient has a negative attitude towards the animal.

Since the time of Hippocrates, it has been known that animals have a beneficial effect on the emotional state of a person, and the therapeutic effect when contacting animals is achieved precisely due to positive emotions.

Pets first appeared in medical institutions in England - this happened in York, in a local institution for the mentally ill in 1792. The concept of zootherapy was formulated in the 60s of the twentieth century by a child psychiatrist from the United States, Boris Levinson. He noticed that his young patients responded positively to his dog.

Australian scientists have documented and shown that the psychological state, well-being and objective physiological indicators of people who have recently adopted a dog or cat improve. “Zootherapy has a significant healing effect on people with chronic neurotic and mental illnesses. With the help of zootherapy, you can even compensate for mental retardation in children!” - scientists say. Zootherapy is the best cure for stress. Recently, this idea has increasingly come to the minds of doctors.

A dog is a healer by nature. Her saliva has bactericidal properties due to the presence of lysozyme in it. This is due to the rapid healing of various wounds and abrasions, which she treats by licking. Therefore, it is no coincidence that they say: “It will heal like a dog.”

The role of a healer-bioenergetic therapist is... a cow. This amazing artiodactyl regularly sees patients in the town of Cikarang on the island of Java. By licking its tongue, a cow relieves pain in the heart area, relieves migraines and even cures serious illnesses such as stroke. Appointments with a new doctor are made several months in advance, but the cow manages to see no more than twenty patients per day. African countries have their own flavor: they are treated with the help of elephants. In Australia, the role of “tailed therapist” is played by kangaroos.

The most versatile doctor, perhaps, is the Chinese Crested Dog. It not only relieves asthma attacks, normalizes blood pressure and heart rate, but also relieves allergies, some skin diseases and even, as some experts say, slows down the course of oncological processes.

There are many legends about dolphins. The ancient Greek singer Orion, who was thrown overboard by pirates, was picked up by dolphins and brought to shore. Dolphins help fishermen catch fish in their nets. And the dolphin Pelorus Jack, so nicknamed by English sailors, guided ships through a dangerous strait in New Zealand for 30 years as a seasoned pilot.

German scientists tried to create a simulator that would exactly replicate the oscillatory movements of a horse. The simulator was invented, but it did not have the same effect as with hippotherapy.

Until recently, it was believed that allergies in children were most often caused by cats and dogs. Scientists named wool as an allergen, later they began to “blame” the saliva of pets more. However, the latest research by scientists has yielded unexpected results. Examining a large group of children, they found that 77% of children who have bugs or bugs at home not only do not suffer from allergies, but, on the contrary, are resistant to the effects of allergens and generally get sick less. This phenomenon, according to researchers, can be explained by the fact that pets bring into the house that minimum of foreign substances that train the immune system (in a “sterile” environment it is inactive). A trained the immune system, on the one hand, is more active, and on the other hand, it is “choosy”: it does not produce antibodies unless necessary.

Today, pets are treated as full-fledged members of the family. They not only bring the joy of communication and pleasant chores to household members, but also help overcome loneliness, stress, and even cure some diseases.

Cats are considered the most common household “healers”. If the owner manages to establish a trusting relationship with them, then cats are able to find and treat their owner’s sore spots. They lie down on this place, purr, warm it with their warmth - and the pain recedes. In a serious situation, the cat may not leave the patient for several hours. According to statistics, cat lovers visit doctors almost 5 times less often than those who do not have one.

There are many cases when pets can help their owners. Here are just a few of them:

1. For cardiovascular diseases
There are many stories about how cats saved people from heart attacks and hypertensive crisis. The cat can even warn of a possible attack. Cat owners know that their pets sometimes begin to cuddle when their owner is very irritated or under stress.
English doctors claim that having a cat in the house reduces the risk of recurrent myocardial infarction. A person who has recently suffered an attack will have their blood pressure and pulse return to normal after petting their beloved cat for a few minutes.

2. For diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
Petting cats is also good for digestion. Short-haired or hairless cats (Sphynx, Siamese, Oriental, Abyssinian, Tonkinese, Korats, Egyptian Mau) are usually better than other breeds in treating diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary system.

3. For stress and fatigue
Cats can relieve fatigue, stress, migraines, lower blood pressure, and normalize pulse. Long-haired cats are considered excellent psychotherapists and neurologists - Siberian, Angora, Persian, Burmese, Norwegian forest cats, which help people suffering from insomnia, irritability, and depression.
At the same time, the color of a cat also affects its healing abilities. From this point of view, black cats take twice as much negative energy from a person than cats of other colors. Ginger cats themselves give off positive energy. Cream-colored cats tone up our energy, while gray-blue cats calm us down. White cats are unsurpassed healers in terms of performance. In the UK they are even sold in special pharmacies.

4. To improve immunity
If you listen to a cat's purr every day, performed at a frequency of 4 - 16 Hz, this will have a positive effect on the immune system. Scientists suggest that purring is similar to ultrasound treatment, which accelerates wound healing, bone growth and strengthening. Persian cats can relieve joint pain and symptoms of osteochondrosis.

5. To increase life expectancy
Scientists at the Berlin Institute of Gerontology studied the effect of cats on the life expectancy of their owners and came to the conclusion that people who kept a cat in their house all their lives lived on average 10.3 years longer than those who did not have a cat. Cat owners had better blood pressure and lower blood cholesterol levels. According to gerontologists, cats are a real elixir of youth for their owners.

6. Acupuncturist cats
Cats can also act as an “acupuncturist”: when they climb onto their owner and, purring, release their claws, they irritate the reflexogenic zones, as in a real acupuncture session. This method of treatment has long been used in folk medicine.

7. Cats as an energy information device
Bioenergeticists believe that a cat is a real energy-information device. In their opinion, if a cat often lies on its owner's head, he most likely has hypertension or a tendency to headaches. If your pet lies on the left shoulder blade or shoulder, this indicates heart problems. The cat lies on its lower back if it “feels” problems with the kidneys, on its legs if the owner suffers from low blood pressure or often catches colds.
In order for a cat to really help, it should never be treated roughly. Proponents of feline therapy (treatment with cats) are sure that with castration or sterilization, “medical” abilities are reduced. It is believed that these animals have a sexual “specialization”: cats are better at treating nervous diseases and diseases of internal organs, and cats are better at treating sciatica, arthritis, and arthrosis.

8. When alone
Communication with dogs is no less useful and interesting. Often a dog is adopted to fill the communication vacuum that a person has. The animal replaces itself loved one. The dog is always happy with the owner, it doesn’t matter to her whether he is rich or poor, handsome or not - she is delighted with the very fact of his existence. Therefore, both adults and children who lack unconditional love are drawn to dogs.
If a person has communication difficulties or psychological problems, he needs a balanced and calm dog - Labrador, Shar Pei. Collie, St. Bernard, Newfoundland, Giant Schnauzer, Boxer and Airedale Terrier are good for communicating with children. But Catherine II preferred Italian greyhounds. She took them to bed with her, claiming that these little dogs relieved leg pain and promoted sound sleep.

9. When absent-minded
In many countries, dogs are often used in nursing homes. These animals help reduce absent-mindedness and mobilize motor functions in older people, helping them overcome fears and depression. True, as workers of such institutions say, the success of canistherapy (treatment with the help of dogs) largely depends on the kind of relationship between dogs and the patient established in childhood, at the age of 6 - 13 years.

10. For autism
Dogs help treat children with autism. If a dog is involved in therapy sessions, the manifestations of this disease - for example, withdrawal - in children are reduced. American scientists also discovered that people with disabilities As a result of canistherapy, they begin to feel less lonely and more independent, their self-esteem increases, and they become more sociable.

11. For nervous tension
Any animals help overcome stress and nervous tension. This is primarily due to the fact that a person stops concentrating on the dominant - the negative thought that has caught his attention - and switches his attention to the animal. A study of married couples in the United States showed that those spouses who have animals overcome family crises and resolve conflicts more easily than couples who do not have them. This is partly explained by the fact that keeping an animal provides the opportunity for closer communication. Common interests arise that unite the family. Additionally, many people “discuss” their problems with their pets without fear of judgment.
Psychologists believe that a dog, expressing devotion to its owner, provides him with invaluable psychological support, comparable to the presence of a loved one. If you are doing something important - for example, writing a thesis or looking for a job - the presence of a dog will help you cope with the task.

12. With physical inactivity
If you have a dog, then diseases caused by a sedentary lifestyle will not threaten you. A dog is an excellent “cure” for physical inactivity. Walking with a dog reduces the likelihood of cardiovascular diseases and myocardial infarction. And dog saliva contains the enzyme lysozyme, which destroys pathogens.

13. Dogs diagnose epileptic seizures
In the USA and Great Britain, dogs help epileptic patients. They feel the approach of an epileptic seizure within a few minutes. When the owner loses consciousness, the dog substitutes its body to soften the blow of the fall. Doctors are unable to explain how dogs manage to sense the condition of their “patients”.

14. For arrhythmia
According to Russian scientist Boris Shevrygin, the breed is not of great importance for zootherapy, but a large dog is preferable for diseases such as tonsillitis, arrhythmia, heart failure, peptic ulcer, gastritis, colitis, otitis, and cirrhosis of the liver. Large dogs have high alpha heart rate activity. If you hold your hands in the area of ​​such a dog’s heart for half an hour every day, this gives the effect of a pacemaker.

15. For allergies and asthma
The Chinese Crested Dog is considered the leader in its medicinal qualities. It is distinguished by the absence of hair on the body and elevated body temperature. This, scientists believe, is what determines its powerful biofield. Experts working with this breed claim that “nubs” can relieve an asthma attack and slow down the development of cancer. They are also credited with the ability to relieve radiculitis, colic, allergies and skin diseases.

16. For insomnia
If you suffer from a sleep disorder, get a dog that loves to sleep with its owner. The warmth emanating from the animal calms and helps you relax. Such people are recommended to get a dog with a calm character. When a person pets his beloved dog, the parameters of his heartbeat, breathing and blood pressure approach the indicators that are observed when reading a book at rest.
In general, it’s worth remembering that not every dog ​​will make a “doctor.” Animals participating in psychotherapy must have ideal character and high intelligence. At the same time, everyone in the family must love him. Only with complete mutual understanding between man and animal is a therapeutic effect possible. Training will also help to establish this understanding.

17. For the prevention and treatment of colds
Dog hair retains heat well and also has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Due to its slight tingling effect, it increases and regulates blood circulation. This is a time-tested remedy for the prevention and treatment of colds, kidney diseases, varicose veins. Products made from dog hair help get rid of joint and back pain due to radiculitis, osteochondrosis, arthritis and arthrosis.

18. Yellow canaries against depression
Birds cannot be compared with cats or dogs in terms of their healing effects. But if you can’t keep a four-legged pet, get a feathered friend. The singing of canaries relieves stress, calms nerves and improves mood. For neuroses, depression, gastritis, and stomach ulcers, it is useful to simply sit near the cage, listen to melodic trills and watch the birds. And the cooing of budgerigars eases heart pain.

19. Aquarium fish for the prevention of neuroses
Watching fish in an aquarium calms and restores a sense of peace of mind after nervous breakdowns and psychological shocks. It is useful to keep fish for people suffering from neuroses and depression. The aquarium also helps create the right indoor microclimate. Evaporating water humidifies the air, protecting apartment residents from infectious diseases of the upper respiratory tract. People who have aquariums in their rooms practically do not suffer from insomnia.

20. Rodents against complexes
Owning rodents is recommended for people who lack self-confidence: communication with these animals helps to overcome isolation and complexes. Tactile contact with them relaxes small muscles, reduces anxiety and aggression. They teach children to be careful. The presence of a small and defenseless creature awakens a sense of responsibility in the child.

Our company has been creating and arranging small home corners and mini-zoos for a very long time. Animals can become not only your friends, but also assistants and members of your family. They will live freely on your site and tirelessly delight your family and all guests. We will help you select animals, as well as help them settle in - we will prepare an enclosure, houses, feeding troughs, food and accessories. Experienced livestock specialists will tell you how to feed the animals and organize proper care. Call by phone 495-6485788 or fill out the simple form at the bottom of the page and our specialists will contact you shortly.

Experts say that treatment through communication with animals was known many centuries ago. By independent method zoo- or animal-assisted therapy became in the middle of the 20th century.

In many countries, special organizations and centers have been created in which zootherapy is carried out. Communication with animals helps in the treatment of people suffering from physical or mental illness. The beneficial effects of living things on our body are recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO).

But it must be remembered that self-treatment with zootherapy cannot replace specialized medical care. This method can act as an additional method of healing.

What is zootherapy?

Zootherapy– a type of treatment that uses real animals or animal symbols, such as toys or drawings. In specialized centers, in addition to the animals themselves, doctors, psychologists and social workers participate in the treatment process. It is worth noting that with this type of treatment, specialists use specially trained animals, and not the patient’s pets.

It is wrong to think that zootherapy is available only in large centers. Pets also have a positive effect on the human body. Scientists have confirmed that people who keep animals get sick less often, live longer and are less susceptible to stress and depression.

Animals are actually very subtle psychologists. They know how to determine our mood, and even those places where pain is concentrated, explains psychologist Natalya Morozova. – Zootherapy– the method is quite effective, although it is not yet fully known in what ways the therapeutic effect is achieved. There is a theory - when a person touches an animal, an energy exchange occurs, and the animal, as it were, draws on the person’s negative energy, giving away healthy energy in return. Of course, this looks like mysticism. But from a professional point of view, we can say that animals are some of the best psychotherapists. They, unlike many people, can listen, do not judge and understand. All this is extremely important for a person, especially for someone who experiences certain psychological problems.

Zootherapy is wonderful because it has no contraindications, perhaps except for allergies to animal fur. Doctors note that this is also an absolutely natural, non-drug method of healing that has no adverse reactions. In addition, this method of treatment does not require large material costs and special equipment and is therefore accessible to everyone.

What animals heal us?

Cats

These animals not only lift your spirits, but also help relieve stress and treat insomnia. It is especially useful to keep cats at home for people suffering from cardiovascular diseases. Experts say that with an increase blood pressure You need to pet the cat for a few minutes, and the pressure will decrease.

Sometimes cats are able to stay next to a sick person for hours. This is because they are attracted by the “energy of pain,” and the animal can easily determine the place that emits this energy.

Cats are not only wonderful diagnosticians, but also almost physical therapy devices. Scientists have found that a cat's purring has a healing effect similar to ultrasound treatment in the range of 20–50 hertz.

The British, inspired by the cat's abilities, are selling white medicinal cats in pharmacies. By the way, experts believe that cats and cats have different therapeutic profiles. Thus, cats specialize in diseases of the nervous system and internal organs. And cats are profiled for osteochondrosis, radiculitis and arthrosis.

Dogs

Firstly, dog owners are protected from physical inactivity and its consequences. Regular walks with your four-legged friend will reduce the likelihood of cardiovascular diseases and strengthen the immune system.

A dog in the house protects the human nervous system. In the history of medical research, there are cases where, as a result of targeted treatment with the help of dogs ( canistherapy), children with severe forms of autism were healed. Dogs also help cure hysteria, neurasthenia, psychasthenia and neuroses.

Scientists are confident that dogs contribute to the development of communication skills in their owners and increase human self-esteem. Your pet doctor can be of any breed, the main thing is that the animal is not aggressive and has a stable psyche.

Horses

Hippotherapy, or treatment through communication with horses, involves horse riding. In essence, this is physical therapy, which has proven effectiveness.

Since the middle of the last century, doctors have been using this treatment method for neurological and mental diseases. Today, therapeutic riding centers operate in almost 50 countries around the world. There is also such a center in Omsk. The organization "Radovest" conducts hippotherapy classes for everyone who needs help.

We conduct classes in the park of the 30th anniversary of the Komsomol throughout the year,” says the head of the equestrian club “Carousel”, director of the public organization “Radovest” Elena Koryabina. - Of course, we are looking at the evidence. Not all children, for example, can be exposed to the cold, which means they cannot undergo hippotherapy courses in winter. We mainly work with children from one year to 17-18 years old, there are adults too, but there are not many of them. The main diagnosis of people seeking help is cerebral palsy and autism.

Last year we had one hundred people at hippotherapy, this year about one hundred and twenty. First of all, hippotherapy is a psychological effect; the rider feels more confident on a horse, this is especially important for non-ambulatory children. For autistic children, the horse is a mediator; it is silent and easier to communicate with. The horse makes it clear how to move correctly. A child on horseback receives a certain movement pattern, children with cerebral palsy develop balance, and from a horse they transfer the understanding of how to properly hold themselves to the ground. Not a single technical device has yet been created that would make it possible to imitate the mechanisms of movement that a child can learn in the process of hippotherapy.

Experts advise using hippotherapy for musculoskeletal disorders, polio, scoliosis, cerebral palsy, mental retardation and other diseases. It has been proven that communication with horses creates a positive emotional background, which in itself is healing.

Aquarium fish

A small island of the ocean in the apartment will have a positive effect on the psyche. Watching fish swim in an aquarium relieves stress. Therefore, these animals are most suitable for those who are constantly depressed and suffer from neuroses. The therapeutic effect is achieved after 15 minutes spent in front of the aquarium. The maximum duration of the procedure is one and a half hours.

The aquarium is suitable for families with a small child. Fishes will help him study better. It turns out that they can increase a person’s intellectual level.

In addition, the presence of an aquarium in the house creates a special beneficial microclimate. The evaporating water will humidify the air, which will help prevent asthma and colds. In general, a bright aquarium evokes joy and a sense of well-being in its owners. And according to some reports, it even helps strengthen family relationships.

And other animals

Rodents will help those who have problems communicating with people. They help their owners overcome self-doubt, get rid of complexes and isolation. According to experts, white rats are specialized in the treatment of neuroses. And rabbits and hamsters treat joint diseases.

Poultry increases human creativity and performance. Parrots can relieve heart pain, cure stuttering and neuroses. The singing of canaries will also calm your nerves and improve your mood.

Reptiles are healers of the human nervous system. A visit to the terrarium has a positive effect on patients with neurasthenia or dementia. Experts warn that therapeutic communication with cold-blooded animals does not imply physical contact; for a medical effect, it is enough to visually interact with amphibians.

In fact, all living beings are capable of exerting therapeutic effects on the human body. The only difference is the degree of effectiveness of this effect and the patient’s place of residence. For example, in some countries of the world, even chickens, goats, llamas and donkeys are used for zootherapy. In Africa they are treated with the help of elephants and crocodiles, in Australia with the help of kangaroos. The main thing is not to forget that any zootherapy for serious health disorders should accompany specialized medical treatment, and not replace it.

Based on materials from 55med.ru