THERAPY DOGS FOR PATIENTS WITH ADDICTIONS AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

Researchers in Saskatchewan say regular visits with a therapy dog can improve your mental health and well-being. A team went to three addictions and mental health treatment sites in the Saskatoon Health Region and spent six months at each one.Therapy dogs have often been praised for their abilities. In this particular study, the words from the adult clients, staff, and observers speak volumes. According to the researchers, one staff member reported, "Client rolling in grass laughing while dog was licking her, snuggling. Heard the client state, 'I love you. I want to take you home.'" "I could see it on her face the love she felt from [the therapy dog]. She kept on smiling during her entire session." "The meeting was more than I thought it would be," one client at the Calder Centre said. "Animals are in the moment and live each moment in the present. It was a nice reminder." "The word love was said many times. With the one-on-one experience the person felt comfort — able to open up," an observer cited in the research project said. "I could see it on her face, the love she felt from [the therapy dog]. She kept on smiling during her entire session.""The dogs can have an impact on an individual's healing journey in a multitude of ways, from providing comfort through to increasing therapeutic alliances with service providers," Dell said in a news release. Read more about research here;http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/saskatchewan-researchers-praise-dogs-healing-therapeutic-1.3322183