Healing with Man’s Best Friend

For most people, cuddling up to a friendly dog is one of the fastest ways to relax. Experts have harnessed the soothing effect of interacting with animals through Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT). The Bill Nichols State Veteran’s Home in Alexander City is one of many institutions across the country benefitting from recent interest in AAT. For Mary Spencer and her Great Dane, Stella, working with the Bill Nichols AAT program has also been of personal benefit.

AAT, also called pet therapy, brings specially trained animals into hospitals and assisted living facilities to improve the quality of life for those in long-term care situations. The use of animal companions to soothe the infirm or elderly is not new. There is record of animal interactions being used to treat the handicapped in Gheel, Belgium, in the 800s. Several studies have recorded the positive effect of AAT on residents of different institutions, such as nursing homes, hospitals and mental health facilities. These studies have explored the use of cats, horses and even dolphins as therapy animals, but not surprisingly, the most common AAT choice is man’s best friend.