rainwillneverstop
Global Mod | Serious Health Hazard
- Jul 12, 2022
- 147
Disclaimer: This is written by @Dot. I am just being the voice so accessible to more people.
The use of animals for mental health and well-being
Lots of people find animals very comforting for different reasons so we have put together a thread of different ways to access animals either online or directly - this could be just for your own benefit or to help animals or sometimes both can help each other.
Anecdotal and more formal research suggests that animal therapy can help people with different medical and mental health conditions, and there are the obvious examples of service animals who help people through panic attacks and flashbacks.
Some people find just looking at and watching animals to be soothing, while many other people say that relationships with animals, helps to keep them calm and also give them a purpose.
Types of "animal therapy" described in thread will be
For those who want quick access to animals online, there is the pets megathread in which people share pictures of their pets for people to 'coo' over and enjoy.
sanctioned-suicide.net
There are also live cams and livestreams online where people can watch animals of different kind online - this can be like ASMR for some people or just a nice distraction. These vary between wild animals and litters of puppies or kittens and more.
explore.org
For people looking to volunteer with animals there are different ways to do so:
Volunteering and shelters
www.petfinder.com
There are different ways to volunteer with animals. Some people take shelter animals for walks, others help with basic training like teaching dogs basic commands like "sit," and "stay" while others just spend time sitting with animals to help them socialize and become more comfortable around humans, which can help to make them more ready for adoption.
Some people read to animals which can be soothing for animals, but also good for people who have anxiety around speaking etc - so it can be mutually beneficial for both. Also people can learn how them just existing can be good for these animals to have around.
These types of volunteering can be low-commitment and flexible for a person who struggle with how they are feeling on any given day.
Here is an example of someone who sits with animals.
Other ways to work with animals could be looking up local stables etc or there's also websites where people look for volunteers who will help them out with animals and outside projects.
www.workaway.info
There could also be people in your local area who would just like help with walking their dogs and that could be mutually beneficial also.
Fostering animals:
For people who want a pet, but who cannot commit to long-term adoption for various reasons, or who are nervous of the idea of getting a pet because they do not know what the experience will be like for them there's also the option of fostering.
Fostering is only medium commitment because you will not be expected to keep the animal. An animal can also benefit from you testing the waters with a pet in your home.
Just be aware that some foster animals might need some extra care, because of the environments they might have come from.
Animal therapy and interventions:
It's worth looking online for animal interventions in your area, or asking you doctor for a referral to animal therapy if it's available. Otherwise, there are many people who offer their animals for emotional support - these can be found by websites that they have registered with. There might be equivalents to the following websites in different countries.
www.borrowmydoggy.com
petpartners.org
petsastherapy.org
www.hugglepetsinthecommunity.co.uk
Or sometimes just posting in places like Facebook community pages, asking for anyone willing to offer time with their animals. There are often people who are more than happy to help - I have personally used this method in the past.
Feel free to add other ideas.
Lots of people find animals very comforting for different reasons so we have put together a thread of different ways to access animals either online or directly - this could be just for your own benefit or to help animals or sometimes both can help each other.
Anecdotal and more formal research suggests that animal therapy can help people with different medical and mental health conditions, and there are the obvious examples of service animals who help people through panic attacks and flashbacks.
Some people find just looking at and watching animals to be soothing, while many other people say that relationships with animals, helps to keep them calm and also give them a purpose.
Types of "animal therapy" described in thread will be
- Online
- Volunteering and sitting with animals
- Fostering and adoption
- Finding animals in your area for formal and informal animal based interventions (cuddles) and support.
For those who want quick access to animals online, there is the pets megathread in which people share pictures of their pets for people to 'coo' over and enjoy.
Pets MegaThread
I was thinking that maybe we could post photos of our pets here so we could feel better ❤️
sanctioned-suicide.net
There are also live cams and livestreams online where people can watch animals of different kind online - this can be like ASMR for some people or just a nice distraction. These vary between wild animals and litters of puppies or kittens and more.
Full House Puppy Cam at Warrior Canine Connection
Enjoy more views and more puppies in our Puppy Playroom from this additional camera. This cam goes live when we have more than one litter in the puppy playroom.
For people looking to volunteer with animals there are different ways to do so:
Volunteering and shelters
Ways to Volunteer At Your Local Animal Shelter | Petfinder
You don’t have to be an animal expert to volunteer at your community’s shelter, you just need the time and desire to lend a helping hand. Learn more at Petfinder.
www.petfinder.com
There are different ways to volunteer with animals. Some people take shelter animals for walks, others help with basic training like teaching dogs basic commands like "sit," and "stay" while others just spend time sitting with animals to help them socialize and become more comfortable around humans, which can help to make them more ready for adoption.
Some people read to animals which can be soothing for animals, but also good for people who have anxiety around speaking etc - so it can be mutually beneficial for both. Also people can learn how them just existing can be good for these animals to have around.
These types of volunteering can be low-commitment and flexible for a person who struggle with how they are feeling on any given day.
Here is an example of someone who sits with animals.
Other ways to work with animals could be looking up local stables etc or there's also websites where people look for volunteers who will help them out with animals and outside projects.
Pet-sitting and animal care with Workaway
Pet sitting jobs international ✓ Care for pets in exchange for a free stay ✓ Worldwide community ✓ Discover the world now with Workaway!
There could also be people in your local area who would just like help with walking their dogs and that could be mutually beneficial also.
Fostering animals:
For people who want a pet, but who cannot commit to long-term adoption for various reasons, or who are nervous of the idea of getting a pet because they do not know what the experience will be like for them there's also the option of fostering.
Fostering is only medium commitment because you will not be expected to keep the animal. An animal can also benefit from you testing the waters with a pet in your home.
Just be aware that some foster animals might need some extra care, because of the environments they might have come from.
Animal therapy and interventions:
It's worth looking online for animal interventions in your area, or asking you doctor for a referral to animal therapy if it's available. Otherwise, there are many people who offer their animals for emotional support - these can be found by websites that they have registered with. There might be equivalents to the following websites in different countries.
BorrowMyDoggy - Share the love of dogs
Connecting dog owners & local dog borrowers for walks, weekends and holidays.
Request a Therapy Animal Visit
Therapy animals bring comfort and joy to anyone they visit – in your school, workplace, hospital, or other facility or after a crisis event.
petpartners.org
Pets As Therapy
petsastherapy.org
Animal Assisted Therapy
Find out more about Animal Assisted Therapy, who it is for and how you can benefit.
www.hugglepetsinthecommunity.co.uk
Or sometimes just posting in places like Facebook community pages, asking for anyone willing to offer time with their animals. There are often people who are more than happy to help - I have personally used this method in the past.
Feel free to add other ideas.
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