From bizarre service animals like ferrets and boa constrictors to the most common & dependable ones like dogs and mini horses!\r
\r
Subscribe to Talltanic \r
\r
4. Llama and Alpaca\r
Although these guys have trouble being classified as service animals as well, they do make excellent therapy companions. The most successful of these examples is a pair consisting of an Alpaca named Napoleon and a Llama named Rojo that are employed by a childrens hospital in Oregon. The staff says that they are the life and soul of the hospital and they bring their very own brand of healing to the patients. Rojo was the first animal at the hospital because it was the operator of the hospitals pet and it was suggested to him that he make the animal a therapy animal. They are usually dressed up in silly outfits, and they are said to bring light into whatever room they walk into when working. The representative from the hospital also says that the animals trigger a natural therapeutic response in humans that make them amazing tools for recovery.\r
\r
3. Dolphins\r
Dolphins arent the type of therapy animal that you can take with you everywhere but, dolphin assisted therapy or DAT is becoming increasingly common. The Dolphins can be used to help with a variety of different diseases and disabilities and programs for this type of treatment can be found in almost everywhere in the world. This kind of therapy has been used since 1978 when it was first employed by a DR. David Nathanson. The Dolphins are said to help improve motor and speech functions among the mentally, physically, and emotionally disabled. This treatment is primarily used to help children with developmental disorders like Downs Syndrome and autism. This treatment is a topic of controversy, though, because the safety and efficacy of it have been put under scrutiny almost since its inception. Some people say that the sonar that the Dolphins might help trigger healing by increasing T-cells and endorphins. This theory is obviously not proven, though.\r
\r
2. Cats\r
These favorite felines arent commonly used in one on one therapy; they are more typically used in environments like hospices and retirement homes to help the residents there. Not every cat can be a therapy cat, though. The cat needs to be friendly and sociable which anyone who owns one will tell you is rare. Cats have been used in lots of ways, but most notably they have been known to be beneficial to stroke victims because they are excellent at comfort and calming. They can also be used to lower blood pressure in individual patients. Some people for the utilization of these animals say that the support of these animals can sometimes surpass even pharmaceutical treatment. One person reviewed 25 different studies and decided that these animals did have a positive effect on patients. The person said that people that intered with the cats were more alert, smiled more, and helped aggressive patients calm down enough to function with other people. Its also been suggested that cats can sense death, but that is not true. Maybe.\r
\r
1.Miniature Horses\r
Miniature horses can be useful service animals for a variety of reasons. They are less easily distred than even the most well-trained of dogs can be, they are extremely loyal, and they are much less threatening than some bigger dogs can be. Miniature horses are used as a replacement for seeing eye dogs, but there are pros and cons to both animals. Horses need more room to live, but they also tend to live for about 30 years as opposed to dogs 12. People who have allergies to dogs tend not to have allergies to horses as well. There is also a religious aspect because, in the Muslim religion, dogs are considered to be unclean but horses arent. The demand for these guide dog substitutes has been so high that it has been difficult to meet the needs shown. Some organizations that match these miniature horses have even stopped accepting applications because there is just too high of demand.
Comments