Many therapies now use pets, especially dogs, to provide comfort or calm to the patient. Why animals? The theory is that animals, are a source of calming, non-judgmental support and can help make communication and social interaction easier. Particularly dogs are easily trained compared to other animals. However, other animals such as horses or dolphins also often used too.
Dr Margaretha is a lecturer, researcher and also a counselor for Child and Adolescent in the Faculty of Psychology at the University of Airlangga in Surabaya.
She believes that as long as the animals are well trained they can render good help to ease anxiety, provide support comfort, sense of safety or trust.
She says that dogs in particular can sense danger or feel that something bad is coming. Therefore, they position themselves or behave in such a way to protect their chargers. Similarly, dolphins are able to give social response that help autistic children to overcome difficulties in communicating with others.
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