Good news from the Annual Conference of the International Society of Anthrozoology and the First Human Animal Interaction Conference! It turns out that humans recovering from joint replacement surgery in the company of a pet need 50% less pain drugs than those without a furry companion. Animal lovers, and medical professionals at Loyola University Julia Havey and Frances Vlasses conducted the study. They have been longtime members of Canine Companions for Independence, a non-profit organization that trains service animals for all kinds of purposes--everything from blind adults, to children with autism.
At the conference, Harvey said that "Evidence suggests that animal-assisted therapy (AAT) can have a positive effect on a patient's psychosocial, emotional and physical well being." Harvey and Vlasses hope to see companion animals become the standard of care for pain management. I am sure there are plenty of pups up to the task...we love helping humans!
I'm thinking for me it would help because I have to move about to take care of my girls which would keep me from sitting around, not moving like instructed. Pain? Who has time to think about it when you have to care for your babies!
ReplyDelete