My beloved cat Sparky passed away last summer after 16 years with us. He had a special personality and was very loved in our family. At least by most in my family. My husband is not a cat person, but tolerated the Spark-ster. (My husband also thought cats live for about 2 years when he gave me Sparky as a birthday present. He was suprised when he learned – after we got Sparky – that our feline would be around for a lot longer than that. But that’s a different story.)
So as an animal person myself, I was interested in a recent study about “Animal-Assisted Therapy” (AAT) for pain. AAT is work with a patient, an animal handler and an animal trained for therapy. Previous research has shown AAT to be beneficial for reducing anxiety, agitation, and fear. In children, AAT dogs decreased distress during painful medical procedures, promoted calmness in children with PTSD, and increased attention and positive behaviors in children with pervasive developmental disorders. Dolphins increased attention and language skills among children with autism.
A study by Braun at the Univeristy of Minnesota School of Nursing looked at using animals to help children in pain. Subjects were children ages 3–17 in an acute care pediatric setting. The study found that those who had AAT, in this case a dog, experienced significant reductions in pain levels compared to the control group.
AAT is probably an under-used resource in health care settings – offices and hospitals. But I’d guess it’s well known in our homes!
Readers, does your pet help you cope with pain?
The study appeared in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 2009, Vol 15, 105-9.
3 responses so far ↓
Esther // May 12, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Yes. My dog makes me giggle. Of course, she wakes me up in the morning eager for us to go for a walk. That eases some of the pain, dog inspired exercise. And she reminds me to keep my schedule regular so that she keeps me walking. She helps me engage more with other people – since other dog walking people often say hello. This is a boost and I don’t feel so isolated. When I pay attention to her, I pay less to my pain.
I notice that my parents’ kitten kept them focusing on its needs, a humorous distraction during my mother’s recent hospitalization. They did not want her to feel isolated. So my father stayed with my mother in the hospital and I went over to pet and play with the kitten. Of course, some of the time things were reversed.
I studied animal companion bonding while I was in graduate school. I think what animals offer humans (if they like animals) is often underestimated.
So sorry for your loss.
How to Cope with Pain // May 12, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Esther, I like all the reasons your dog makes your day better! Thanks for sharing.
Nickie // May 16, 2009 at 8:13 pm
I definitely find that Julio helps me cope with pain and anxiety. I know I tolerate the pain better when he’s with me. I also recover from procedures better wwhen Julio is near by.
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