What groups or populations can most benefit from pet therapy programs?
PS: I don’t see any limits or boundaries or restrictions as far as the make-up of the population goes. Pets can help with whatever – if the issue is loneliness, pets can help with that. If the issue is self-esteem and responsibility, pets can help with that. If the issue is range of motion, pets can help with that. If it’s inability to connect with other beings or inability to open up and communicate, they can help with that. There is one counter-indication – it’s the case where clients might pose a danger to the pets. And anyone with allergies, it goes without saying, it wouldn’t work. In the case where a person has a fear of animals, we would never force our pets on them, although we do work with a lot of people who have phobias related to animals. But the therapy is only on their terms. Q. What types of animals work best in programs for children and adolescents? PS: Any companion animal will work – it could be a bunny, hamster, guinea pig, dog, cat or parakeet – as long as the anima
