Studies are unanimous. People with pets are more self-confident, less stressed and less prone to depression. They are also more open and more willing to reach out to others. Based on this observation, the American child psychiatrist Boris Levinson created animal mediation or zootherapy in the 50s. Literally, this is animal-assisted therapy. A genuine mediator between patient and therapist, the animal can be used to treat cognitive, physical and relational disorders. Animals are no longer just animals, but real companions for us humans. Their presence during therapy strengthens us and helps us with our relationships, autonomy and social skills. What’s more, this method is open to many different types of patient.

To find out more about its effectiveness and how it works, read on!

Animal mediation: what is it?

“Animals don’t feed on idealized expectations of humans; they accept them for what they are, not for what they should be.”

In other words, animals don’t judge. They love unconditionally. What better way to bring comfort to those who are suffering than to make them feel normal? This is what animal mediation is based on.

It’s a therapy used for preventive, therapeutic or recreational purposes with vulnerable people. In other words, animal mediation can help the elderly, the mentally ill, people with reduced mobility, and so on. It complements the care and support provided by educational or care professionals. These include psychiatrists, psychologists, pediatricians, psychomotor therapists, etc.

A FEW EXAMPLES OF INTERVENTIONS
Like all other forms of therapeutic mediation, such as art or music therapy, zootherapy promotes the well-being of patients. It is also an excellent way of reconciling with others. Horses, dogs, cats – there’s no shortage of them in animal mediation. In the 9th century, therapists used birds to accompany convalescing patients. Today, horses are used to develop coordination, muscular strength and balance: this is equitherapy.

Of course, these are just a few examples. You will certainly find other categories of animal in this kind of treatment. It all depends on the therapist’s decision, but also on the person undergoing treatment and his or her situation.

In all cases, animals are effective stimulators and levers of communication. And it’s precisely for this reason that they are much in demand in animal mediation. Animals :

Change our view of the outside world;
Develop self-confidence and the desire to move forward;
Open us up to others to create affiliative relationships;
Enable us to identify ourselves and project ourselves into further follow-up;
Stimulate our ability to reproduce and imitate.

WHY ZOOTHERAPY?
This form of therapy involves using an animal (previously trained and supervised by specialized professionals such as a dog trainer or veterinarian) as a transitional agent within the framework of animal mediation. The animal is there to make exchanges between patient and therapist more fluid. As such, the animal is not a therapist; it is there to stimulate the patient, to make him react so that the specialist can enter into a relationship with him.

The benefits of animals for human beings were recognized long before Boris Levinson. Indeed, man has always had a special relationship with animals. In the Paleolithic era, animals were simply a source of food. Later, however, they became companions, accompanying men on their crusades. Later, animals played a major role in the treatment of the sick, first in Europe and then throughout the world.

Dogs for the blind and wheelchair users are tangible examples of zootherapy or animal mediation. In these cases, the canine enables the patient to gain autonomy, break out of isolation and normalize contact with others. In homes for the elderly, animals help facilitate communication. And with good reason: they provide a neutral subject for conversation, perfectly suited to the needs of the elderly.

What are the benefits of this therapy?

“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

According to this WHO definition, physiological health is not everything. Animal mediation is one of the ways in which this well-being can be achieved on a number of levels. Indeed, its benefits for our general health are manifold!

BENEFITS FOR PHYSICAL HEALTH
To begin with, this therapy helps optimize the patient’s mobility and motor skills. The patient is able to move more effectively, with better coordination and balance. Cognitive and sensory abilities also improve over time.

Nor should we overlook the fact that animal mediation helps activate happiness hormones. It’s also an excellent way of reducing stress, blood pressure and heart rate. As a result, the subject’s immunity is strengthened.

A PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSET
There are also psychological benefits. The presence of the animal is such that it nourishes many positive feelings in the patient. These include affection, optimism, joy and reassurance. They also regain their self-confidence, feeling both useful and safe.

ANIMAL MEDIATION ON A SOCIAL LEVEL
Finally, following this therapy also helps the subject in his or her social life. He opens up more to those around him, and communicates better than before. They behave better, learn to take the initiative and reassert themselves. Reaffirming one’s identity is indeed a necessity for people who have aged.

In short, animal-assisted therapy improves overall quality of life. Loneliness, chronic depression, stress and anxiety… It helps to alleviate all these different ailments. It is even said to be an invaluable aid against schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s.

Why is animal mediation effective?

Animals are real mood enhancers for humans. Endearing and affectionate, they can soothe even the most anxious with their simple presence. Pet owners know all too well how stroking a dog or cat makes you forget all your worries. It’s not for nothing that animals are said to be man’s best friend. The attraction and love inspired by an animal can stimulate the frail or disabled. By arousing their interest and encouraging their motor skills.

Animal mediation offers a different approach to illness for people suffering from psychological and physical disorders. It puts the animal at the heart of the therapy. The animal is not there to judge us or put pressure on us. On the contrary, it facilitates communication through touch, gaze… and enables patients to stay in touch with their surroundings. It stimulates attention, concentration and memory. The social exchanges between him and the animal will make him aware that the latter is a living being. Project this perception onto the animal mediator and facilitate interaction. More than anything else, animal-assisted therapy instills a sense of responsibility. This allows the patient to forget about his or her illness and not feel sorry for him- or herself.

The animal contributes to the patient’s subjective and social construction, answering the question “Who am I? It also develops the individual’s ability to associate human feelings and sensations (anthropomorphism in therapeutic jargon). And it de-dramatizes certain fears (rational or otherwise) that we experience, such as death anxiety.

WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM ANIMAL MEDIATION?
One might think that animal-assisted therapy is reserved for a certain clientele, in this case the elderly. Or people with reduced mobility. This is normal, since these are the people we most often see benefiting from this type of support. But in reality, the generation and category of patients are not predefined when it comes to this kind of treatment.

Seniors, PRMs and Alzheimer’s sufferers all benefit from this therapy. However, children and adults can also take part in animal mediation sessions. It doesn’t matter whether it’s to help with a relational, physical or mental handicap. Animal therapy helps patients to communicate more effectively and provides greater motivation. Everyone can then enjoy the various benefits on offer if it’s to achieve self-fulfilment, autonomy or appeasement.

So, whatever your age, you can turn to animal-assisted therapy for help with the following difficulties:

Impulsivity;
Emotional instability;
Lack of concentration;
Low self-esteem
Etc…

How does an animal mediation session work?

Animal-assisted therapy involves multi-channel communication. As a result, no two sessions are alike. In fact, the course of the session depends on the animal, the patient’s handicap and the skills of the animal therapist. In this way, the therapist sets up an individualized program for each patient, based on his or her history, experience, etc.

There is two possible actions of animal mediation that enable the patient to unconsciously emerge from his or her social isolation. This is made possible by the activities (playing with the animal, taking care of it, etc.). Indeed, the emphasis is on pleasure. This teaches them to overcome their fear of others, and simply to surpass themselves.

ACTIVITIES INVOLVING ANIMALS
During animal-assisted therapy, it is possible to organize activities that can be performed with the animal. These can be exercises with educational, social or therapeutic objectives. These include, for example, speech therapy activities involving pronunciation and elocution. Exercises can also focus on psychomotor skills, using animals to encourage mobility.

ANIMAL-FACILITATED THERAPY
This method is generally used to support people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. The animal is a crucial element. It is there to improve the psychological state, but above all to facilitate communication among patients. The presence of a specially trained canine, for example, encourages patients to talk. On the other hand, the aim of this animal mediation approach is also to simplify the management of their apathy.