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YOUR WELLNESS SPA Mind-Body Health 82 DAYSPA | JUNE 2014 A 2011 Italian study found that after six weeks of therapy sessions with animals, 50% of elderly sub- jects showed decreased symptoms of geriatric-related depression. In 2010, a Canadian study reported that stroke patients experienced signifi cant increases in their walking speed when dogs were used during gait- retraining rehab. That same year, a study in Austria found that drug-addicted prisoners who participated in dog-assisted training demonstrated an improved ability to regulate their emotions. The list of research results goes on and on. Around the world, people of all ages who suffer with physi- cal, mental and emotional maladies show improvement when loving animals are involved in their therapy. From casual visits to hospitals or convalescent homes ("an- imal-assisted activities") to sessions in which health professionals utilize animals for specifi c goals ("animal- assisted therapy"), our furry friends help millions of people each year. Why and how do animal-assisted methods work and what can the wellness community learn from this wing of complementary medicine? DAYSPA spoke to experts in the fi eld to gain a better understanding of the ways in which animals spread healing among their human counterparts. MAN'S BEST FRIEND According to Pet Partners (formerly the Delta Society, petpartners.org), a non-profi t organization founded in 1977 and dedicated to fostering positive interaction between humans and companion, service and therapy animals, animal-assisted therapy can help people in an extraordinary range of ways: • Physically, helping to improve balance, motor skills and wheelchair skills, and to increase stamina for exercise and recreational activities • Psychologically, reducing feelings of loneliness and anxiety, and bolstering self-esteem and recep- tivity to participating in group activities • Socially, improving interactions with individuals and groups • Cognitively, aiding in long- or short-term memory, increased vocabulary and general verbal skills, im- proved knowledge of concepts such as size and color, and longer attention spans It seems that almost anywhere there's a problem, a friendly animal is likely to make the situation better. "As just one example, petting and brushing an animal as part of physical therapy might help someone im- prove their fi ne motor skills," says Pet Partners market- ing coordinator Paula Scott. "Or in mental health set- tings, animals can help people to talk about things they normally wouldn't with only a therapist in the room. Or someone with speech issues who might be ashamed to read aloud will do so in the company of a friendly ani- mal. People just feel more comfortable around animals. They don't feel criticized. They feel loved by the animal no matter what." Aubrey Fine, Ed.D. (aubreyhfi ne.com), psychologist, professor at Cal-Poly Pomona, California, and author of numerous books including the new Our Faithful Com- panions (Alpine Publications, 2014), has worked with animal-assisted therapy for more than 30 years and speaks to some of the research on its benefi ts. "In the late 1970s, research found that petting a dog appeared to reduce blood pressure," says Fine. "The friendly dog has a calming effect and reduces anxiety. Studies also found that people with cardiovas- cular disease who had interactions with animals lived longer. Later research fi nds that these interactions can lower [the stress hormone] cortisol and may increase oxytocin, our 'love hormone'." Research seems to pair almost every human health issue with a potential benefi t from interaction with a Creature Comforts Research shows that a wide range of mind-body wellness issues might be eased with the help of our four-legged friends. By Andrea Renskoff © ISTOCKPHOTO/THINKSTOCK Y o u r W e l l n e s s S p a 6 1 4 . i n d d 8 2 Your Wellness Spa 614.indd 82 5 / 1 / 1 4 3 : 3 7 P M 5/1/14 3:37 PM