The live page describes therapy animals as a calming presence for some service users experiencing stress, anxiety or low mood. It explains that people may benefit from holding, stroking, grooming or simply sitting with an animal when appropriate and supervised.
Animals are a great icebreaker in both one-to-one and group therapy sessions. They lift people's spirits, and just petting or stroking an animal can do wonders for blood pressure and stress levels.
The reason animals make such an impact is because people do not feel judged by them. Animals offer unconditional acceptance, which helps service users feel more confident in confronting their issues.
Programme focus
Comfort, confidence and supported interaction.
- Build calmer one-to-one and group sessions.
- Support confidence and self-esteem through gentle animal interaction.
- Offer a welfare-first, non-judgemental setting.
Safeguarding and suitability
Animal-therapy activity should be arranged through APES contact routes so suitability, supervision, exclusions, risk assessment and animal welfare controls can be reviewed before a session is confirmed.