When you have a furry companion who goes everywhere with you, it can be difficult leaving him behind if you have to seek addiction treatment. Many people have this worry, and some may delay important care because they don’t know what to do about their dog or cat. More rehabs are recognizing pet therapy benefits. If you just can’t stand the thought of leaving your pet in someone else’s care while you’re away, finding treatment centers that welcome four-legged companions becomes easier every day.
What Is Pet Therapy?
A pet therapy addiction treatment program gives people and pets the chance to come together in therapy.
Sometimes, pet therapy is also known as animal-assisted treatment. Instead of clients bringing their pets from home, rehabs provide horses, dogs, cats or other animals to facilitate their clients’ therapy. Working with and caring for animals is a stress-relieving activity that often doesn’t even feel like therapy.
Whether you bring your furry companion to rehab or the treatment center offers a range of therapeutic animals, you’ll enjoy pet therapy benefits as you receive life-changing care.
What Are Pet Therapy Benefits in Addiction Treatment?
There’s a reason people love their furry friends. They provide unconditional love. Also, they don’t talk back, and if you have a bad day, you can complain to them without worrying that they’re judging you.
It only seems natural to bring them into treatment with you if you’re trying to overcome an addiction. Pet therapy benefits you may experience in addiction treatment include:
- Receiving unconditional love and support
- Feeling a sense of responsibility and thereby increasing feelings of self-worth and confidence
- Easing stress and anxiety
- Lessening worry over what to do with your pet during treatment
Also, pets make great conversation starters. You may feel much more comfortable talking to a total stranger about your dog or cat. Before you know it, you’re able to talk about other topics, all due to your pet sparking a discussion.
The same is true in therapy sessions. It’s not unusual for clients to be reluctant to open up to their therapist. With their companion animal by their side, however, they may find it much easier to talk about their issues.
Therefore, bringing your pet to rehab is a wonderful way to improve your social skills. The wider your social network is, the happier you tend to be.
We’ll Start You on Your Recovery Journey
Pillars Recovery is an addiction treatment center in Orange County, California with gender-separate locations: women are treated in our Laguna Beach setting, and men receive treatment in Newport Beach. In addition to pet therapy benefits, provide individualized care that young adults need to move past addiction.
The services we offer include:
You can have the productive, successful future you deserve when you get help overcoming addiction. Reach out to the dedicated professionals at Pillars Recovery, and we’ll start you on the road to lasting sobriety. Call today at 866-782-0247.
