Life with animals is much better; they help us improve as people and also benefit our health. On another occasion, we talked about the benefits of sharing life with ARISTOPETS. Pets boost our oxytocin levels. This hormone reduces stress, combats depression, and influences the building of trust between people.
It has been proven that pets improve people's quality of life. Many studies corroborate the benefits of assisted dog therapy. There are programs that help elderly people with Alzheimer's or other dementias, as well as children with autism or hyperactivity.
Children with ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, are often reluctant to obey, tend to isolate themselves more than usual, and can develop low self-esteem. Several studies show that working with assistance dogs improves therapy session outcomes. In the case of hyperactive children, it helps them improve their social skills.
This is the case of the Irvine Child Development School in California. At this school, children go to class with Rusty, a Golden Retriever who helps them in their sessions. The children approach him, pet him, and occasionally snuggle up next to him. When the children are with Rusty, they are calmer and more entertained.
Dr. Schuck, a professor at the school, conducted a 12-week study with 24 children with ADHD. The children were randomly divided into two groups: one used assistance dogs, and the other did not. During the sessions of both groups, symptoms decreased, but with better results in the group of children with assistance dogs.
Schuck states that pet therapy is an advantage for these students. With her studies, she demonstrated that children with ADHD who interacted with pets improved their social skills and controlled their symptoms.
At Torrejón Hospital, several studies were carried out with companion animals. It was shown that most patients with ADHD manage to reduce their medication doses when they receive assisted therapy with dogs. Last year, the Canine Intervention Service was presented in Madrid, to bring therapy dogs to hospitals, educational centers, and nursing homes, with the aim of providing support, affection, and attention to these individuals.