Animal Therapy
Therapy Dogs
Pretty much everyone has heard of the dog being referred to as mans best friend. Indeed dogs have been an integral part of our own history by protecting, herding, hunting, tracking and by being our companions. In modern times the natural talents of dogs has made them excellent at search and rescue, leading the blind, and more recently in assisting people with physical and emotional challenges.
Studies document that the holding or petting of an animal has a real effect on lowering blood pressure, releasing tension, and improving mood.
If you would like to learn more about therapy dogs here are some links you may be interested in...
Other Animals and Therapy Work
As popular as our canine friends are in providing alternative approaches to therapy other animals have also proved to be highly beneficial.
Horses are also widely used in physical and emotional therapy work with people. The physical activity of riding a horse uses all the major, and minor muscles of the body. Their gentle swaying walk provides a way for people to regain muscle coordination and balance as well as strength.
Being reactive creatures, horses are also used by therapists to help with people in need of emotional healing.
Beekman Center in Lansing has had a certified NARHA for many years and offers a variety of equine facilitated programs.
If you would like to learn more here are a few links to websites you may find of interest:
Beekman Therapeutic Riding Center
North American Riding for Handicapped Association, Inc.
Animals Need Therapy Too!
Do you evey notice your canine or equine pal isn’t moving quite right, are they acting differently than usual? Just as we can overwork muscles, strain muscles, or get injured, so can animals. After all, we’re all made of bone, muscle, and other soft tissue. When animals experience discomfort or pain due to problems a trained massage therapist may be able to help.
In the Lansing area. Carrie Nettles, owner of Hands On Horse Care, has been helping horses by using many of the same techniques that massage therapists use on people. Carrie studied under Mary Schreiber, founder of Equissage, Inc. She traveled there and attended the Equine Sports Massage Therapy program and received her certification in 2007. To learn more about Carrie, how she became an equine massage therapist, and how it benefits horses of all stages of life, visit her website:
handsonhorsecare.net