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YOUR WELLNESS SPA Mind-Body Health 84 DAYSPA | JUNE 2014 friendly animal. Animal-assisted therapy with farm ani- mals eased symptoms of psychiatric disorders. People with eating disorders who interacted with dolphins ex- hibited less destructive behaviors. Equine therapy (see Trend Watch, page 18) has long been used for people with skeletal and neurological conditions. The military uses animals in behavioral health therapy. And pain sufferers report a reduced need for medication after spending time with animals. PET PROJECTS Fine uses dogs in his therapy practice for many purposes, not the least of which is as a social lubricant. "People see me differently when I have a kind, warm-hearted animal next to me," he says. "It helps me develop a relation- ship. Sometimes people are able to open up and discuss things such as abuse when they have a friendly chin or a paw next to them." The psychologist recalls a patient with selective mut- ism (an anxiety disorder in which a person is generally able to speak but cannot do so in certain social settings). Fine brought in a dog and casually told the patient that all she had to do if she wanted the dog to come to her was say, "Puppy, come." Sure enough, the patient was able to say those words, which led her to be able to talk to teachers at school, something she previously wasn't able to do. "Dogs have been bred for more than 10,000 years," says Fine. "We know they are successful at engaging humans, protecting them and demonstrating emotional connectivity. They read non-verbal behavior. That's why in a diffi cult moment, a dog will come to you." Love On 4 Paws (loveon4paws.org) serving the Los Angeles area brings therapy animals to hospitals and schools. Coordinated by Suni Cookson, the organization recruits and trains volunteer handlers and animals for the work. "When we visit a hospital," says Cookson, "we simply stop at the doorways of patients' rooms and ask if they want a visit." If the answer is yes, the handler then draws upon his training to facilitate a gentle and satisfy- ing interaction between patient and animal. Making sure the animal is appropriate for therapy is, of course, key to success. "Some animals are really in tune with other people, whereas some are more in tune with their handlers," says Cookson. "We can read the body language of a dog to see whether it is comfort- able with people. With some breeds the sign of social comfort is that the tail is up. Others show expression with their ears." Cookson also points out that hospital- ized patients often miss their own pets and welcome a visit from an approved friend on four paws. 1) Teaching empathy Sometimes it's easier to understand what animals are feeling; when we're successful in doing so, the ability can carry over to experiences with people. 2) Redirecting focus Animals give us an opportunity to focus on something other than our selves and our problems. 3) Nurturing Psychologically, when we nurture an animal, our own need to be nurtured may be fulfi lled. 4) Establishing rapport Animals open a channel of emotionally safe, non- threatening communication. 5) Providing acceptance Animals don't judge how we look or what we say. 6) Being entertaining We enjoy watching animals, even when we don't directly interact with them. 7) Enabling socialization When animals and people are together in groups, there is more joy and interaction amongst all of them. 8) Stimulating positive mental activity Animals tend to lighten the atmosphere, providing distraction in depressing, isolating or alienating situations. 9) Enabling physical contact The positive touch animals can offer and receive is deeply connected to health and wellbeing. 10) Bestowing physiological benefi ts It has been shown that even watching fi sh swim in an aquarium can decrease our heart rate and blood pressure. Another interesting benefi t from animal interaction: spiritual fulfi llment. Some people have reported feeling a sense of oneness with life and nature after sharing time and space with animals. ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM What is it about animals that can break through barriers in humans? Non-profi t organization Pet Partners (petpartners.org) counts the ways in which animals provide healing: Psychologist Aubrey Fine with therapy dog Magic Y o u r W e l l n e s s S p a 6 1 4 . i n d d 8 4 Your Wellness Spa 614.indd 84 5 / 1 / 1 4 3 : 3 7 P M 5/1/14 3:37 PM