Therapy Animals Can Make a World of Difference – Help Make Programs More Accessible!

It’s no secret-animals make people smile. Now, that may not seem like a big deal but for people going through difficult situations, it can make all the difference. You see, a smile is not just something that shows on the outside, it also affects people on an emotional level. Studies show that playing or interacting with animals can increase the levels of the stress-reducing hormone oxytocin and reduces the stress-inducing hormone cortisol. This human-animal bond can also help in overcoming anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses.

Typically, you see adorable dogs and cats taking on this heroic role but other types of animals have also started breaking the mold in the therapy animal world. This has included goats, sheep, rabbits, pigs, rats and even chickens. Whether it’s helping veterans with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a child with autism, or brightening up a cancer patient, these animals go through rigorous training through organizations like Pet Partners to ensure they are fit for the job.

Pet Partners is the leading organization that registers therapy animals, therapy animal teams, and conducts critical training. Despite the behavioral and physical registration process they go through, there are still many schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities that are not allowing therapy animals to conduct this life-saving work. This is largely due to misunderstandings and outdated corporate policies. This is truly a disservice to the countless people that can benefit from the joy that therapy animals bring.

Help Pet Partners in the fight to make therapy animals more accessible to people in need by signing the petition and spreading the wonderful work therapy animals provide.

Image Source: Pet Partners