If you’re a dog parent or proud cat lady, you know the joy of petting your fur baby. But perhaps you don’t realize how much your wellness depends on it. Not only is it therapeutic for them, but for you, too! You may have noticed dogs wearing vests embroidered with the words “emotional support” and wondered how does animal therapy work? Aside from making fabulous companions, the healing powers of animals can help a variety of conditions, from stress, Autism, and PTSD to dementia. Sit and stay with us to discover what happens when you pet a dog, cat, or horse and how to take advantage of their soul-restoring gifts.

The Power of a Pet
Do animals have healing powers? You bet your furry friend’s fanny they do! They remind us to appreciate and stay connected to nature, how to give and receive love unconditionally, embrace the child within, and give us purpose. Because of their positive effects on well-being, animals are now used in therapeutic settings. Veterinarian and Equine Surgeon Rustin Moore cites data proving their health benefits, such as weight loss and decreased stress and cholesterol levels, legitimizing animals’ healing power. He advocates that physicians, caregivers, insurance providers, mental health professionals, and governmental agencies include pets in wellness initiatives and plans.

What is Animal Therapy?
Animal-assisted therapy involves interactions between animals and humans to improve physical, emotional, social, and cognitive well-being. The aim is to help people cope with stressors, life challenges, and other obstacles interfering with their quality of life. It can take various forms:

• Pet Therapy: Trained animals (dogs, cats, rabbits, or horses) visit hospitals, nursing homes, schools, or other facilities to comfort individuals in need. Their companionship can help reduce anxiety, loneliness, and depression and improve social interactions.
• Equine Therapy: Grooming, riding, and caring for horses promotes emotional growth, builds confidence, and develops trust. It can help individuals with physical disabilities, mental health issues, behavioral challenges, and other developmental disorders.
• Animal-assisted Wellness: Structured petting, playing, or observing animals promotes relaxation and improves moods and social skills. Bonding with animals through puppy love yoga, goat yoga, cow cuddling, llama trekking, dolphin therapy, and good old bird watching are excellent examples of animal-assisted stress relief and emotional comfort. The playful puppies, goats, and dolphins up the joy quotient, while yoga encourages mindfulness and serenity.
• Service Animal Therapy: Guide dogs for the visually impaired, therapy dogs for individuals with PTSD, and other trained service animals assist people with disabilities or special needs in navigating daily life, improving their well-being.

If animal therapy isn’t for you, adopt a pet, volunteer at an animal shelter, or walk a neighbor's dog to reap the wellness benefits.

Benefits of Caring for Animals
The benefits of animal assisted therapy and general caring for another sentient being offer multiple benefits for both the animals and their caregivers. There are countless ways how caring for your pets equals caring for yourself! From the emotional connection and companionship, they provide to the positive impact on mental, emotional, and physical well-being, caring for animals is a fulfilling and heartwarming experience that enriches our lives. Here’s how animals help wellness:

Love & Companionship: Animals have a unique ability to provide unconditional love and reduce feelings of loneliness. Whether it's coming home to a loyal dog wagging its tail or a purring cat snuggling up on your lap, the bond formed between humans and animals is truly special.

Improved Mental Well-being: Many studies show that caring for animals can positively impact our mental and emotional well-being. Companionship with animals provides a sense of purpose and connection, with each interaction helping reduce levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Simply petting a dog can help increase feelings of relaxation and happiness.

Responsibility & Empathy: Feeding, grooming, or providing medical care for an animal instills accountability and compassion in individuals of all ages. Children who grow up caring for animals develop empathy and respect for all living creatures.

Benefits Physical Health: Walking, playing, or cleaning up after pets provides daily opportunities for physical exercise. These activities help improve blood pressure and cardiovascular health, increase mobility, and boost overall health. So, whether you have a beloved pet at home or volunteer at a local animal shelter, remember that the love and care you give to animals truly makes a difference.

How Pet Therapy Works
The mental health community now recognizes animals for their ability to improve moods and mental wellness. With this growing awareness, interacting with “man’s best friend” (woman’s too!) is now allowed in many hotels, restaurants, and other establishments. If you or someone you know experiences stress and other conditions that can benefit from animal therapy, have your doctor prescribe an emotional support pet to prove that you need your furry friend with you to maintain your peace of mind! How does animal therapy help us? All we need to do is be close to furry critters to experience the release of oxytocin, prolactin, and serotonin—hormones that prompt a stress-reduction response, diminishing depression. Here’s what happens when you pet your dog, cat, or a furry critter you just met:

• It reduces the amount of the stress hormone cortisol in your body.
• Encourages us to live healthier lives – As responsible pet owners, we take our dogs out for a walk despite rain and snow, braving the elements for them when we wouldn't venture out on our own. We know it is good for them, and as a bonus, it gets us moving, too!
• We spend whatever it takes to ensure their health and cannot help but recognize that we need to treat ourselves the same.
• Playing fetch with our fearless friend or teasing our kitty with a simple string or feathered toy starts our blood pumping, which is vital for our well-being.
• It boosts mental sharpness.

Animal Therapy for Various Disorders
Animals can be beneficial for developmental disorders, Autism, PTSD, anxiety disorders, dementia, and Alzheimer’s, which are becoming more prevalent every year.

How does animal therapy help Autism? This complex developmental disability comes with physical, emotional, and learning challenges that can significantly improve with the human-animal bond.

How does animal therapy help with PTSD? Pets or companion animals minimize Post Traumatic Stress Disorder that can occur after traumatic events by providing comfort, constancy, and stability.

How does animal therapy help with dementia and Alzheimer’s? Unconcerned about age and mental capacity, furry companions listen and provide non-verbal feedback, decreasing anxiety, agitation, and aggressive behavior. The power of Animal therapy for wellness provides hope and courage to people who feel hopeless or lost. For example, the healing power of the human-animal connection is so powerful that pet owners will risk homelessness or intimate partner violence before abandoning furry companions, equating it with giving up a child.

The Power of Touch
What is healing touch therapy? Touch therapy, whether from canines, felines, or humans, is essential for preventing occasional stress from becoming chronic stress that damages our bodies and state of mind. Allergic to dogs or cats? Touch therapy can include professional facials, massages, or body wraps from humans – great ways to experience the power of touch, squash stress levels, and boost well-being. Massage is a relaxing alternative therapy that has become popular due to the science backed physiological and emotional benefits of touch therapy. Most facials and body wrap treatments include massage, which gives you not only the benefits of touch, but also skin-enhancing effects. Studies indicate that regular massages and touch therapy can have long-lasting wellness effects. Here’s what it can do:

• Relax muscle tension that can trigger headaches, irritability, high blood pressure, and fast heart rates.
• Release oxytocin, a hormone that helps reduce stress, cortisol, and blood pressure and promotes healing. This happiness hormone also makes social interactions more positive.
• Improve immunity, which can be dampened by prolonged stress.
• Help increase the production of endorphins—boosting energy levels.
• Enable us to better cope with the next hurdle we encounter.

You can get similar wellness benefits by caressing your partner! Invite them to a give-and-take massage session. Heighten your wellness experience with an antioxidant-rich anti stress massage oil microemulsiified to a silky, easy-to-absorb texture that neutralizes free radicals, a byproduct of stress. Enhance massage’s calming effects with aromatherapy essential oils to relieve stress and anxiety. The De-Stress Escape Aromatic Oil features Lavender Essential Oil, Grapefruit Essential Oil, Chamomile Essential Oil, and Rose Essential Oil for a perfect sensorial wellness escape.

Return the Favor
Give back to your best friend as they give to you with Pet Caress by Pevonia, featuring non toxic clean skincare ingredients that care for your pet's skin as they do yours—with only the best! Keep Fido's, Fifi's, or your favorite Pony's coat clean, fresh, and silky with our Sulfate free shampoos for dogs:

• Dog shampoo for itchy skin: Our Itch-Be-Gone Shampoo - Sensitive Skin prevents scratching  and itching with calming plant based botanicals.
• Dog shampoo for dry skin & coats: This ultra-gentle Citrus Moisturizing Spa Dog Shampoo provides intensive moisture for parched and smelly pups.
• Dog shampoo for allergies: The Chamomile Soothing Spa Dog Shampoo with calming actives also cares for horses with hay fever.
• Dog shampoo for shedding: Tame canine, feline, or equine fluff balls with the Shed Control Shampoo - All Skin Types.
• Dog shampoo for sensitive skin: Our Green Tea Soothing Shampoo naturally alleviates itching, dryness, and flakes. Mr. Ed approves!
• Face & ear wash: The Gentle Foaming Cleanser purifies dogs, cats, and horses faces and ears without dryness or flakes.

Check out this additional skin and coat care:

• For itching & sensitivity: The Itch-Be-Gone Soothing Balm - Sensitive Skin quickly cools and relieves irritation, redness, and uncomfortable hot spots in dogs, cats, and horses.
• For tangles: The Brush Me Silky Mist with Vitamin C instantly detangles and conditions. Nothing ‘knotty” here!
• For stiffness & discomfort: Some Sore & Stiff Relief Gel quickly reduces swelling and soothes dogs’ and horses’ painful tendons, muscles, and joints.
• For raw, cracked noses & paws: the Holistic Healing Paw & Nose Balm glides on easily to relieve dryness and burning, soothe irritation and itching, and repair cracks for dogs and horses.
• For dry skin & coats: All dogs, cats, and horses agree that this Gentle Moisturizer - All Skin Types is the best for keeping dryness, scales, flakes, and crusts away.
• For shedders: The Shed Control Formula - All Skin Types will help keep dog hair off your clothes and sofa and where it belongs - on your dog, cat, or horse.
• For your favorite stinker: The Odor Control Mist - All Skin Types eliminates unpleasant odors to help you love your pet, smell and all.

Remember to include proper pet care for the pets that selflessly care for you! Why is pet care important? Like us, pets require attention to their physical and emotional needs to thrive. Regular veterinary check-ups, nutritious food, exercise, grooming, training, and socialization ensure pets' health and well-being - a small price to pay for their unconditional love, companionship, and emotional support. By taking good care of our pets, we strengthen the bond between us and create a positive, trusting relationship. Prioritizing responsible care ensures that our furry friends lead happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives.

Boost wellness and skin health with an in-depth consultation for your ideal products and professional treatments.  VisitFind A Spa for an oasis near you offering Pevonia! Any Pevonia facial treatment, or the Enhanced Relaxing Massage with Magnesium, Stem Cells Phyto-Elite® Intensive Body Contouring Wrap, or Lumafirm® Body Firm & Glow Treatment with expert estheticians’ and massage therapists’ techniques will provide the ultimate touch therapy.