Dr. Mark Swaim on Man’s Best Friend: How dogs help kids heal from trauma
Dr. Mark Swaim says that more therapy programs that specialize in helping kids heal from trauma are integrating the use of therapy dogs as part of their treatment. Therapy dogs have extraordinary roles. They provide a calm and environment for kids who have undergone different kinds of trauma in their lives. These kids may have experienced abuse and have a hard time trusting adults. They connect better to these animals because they do not judge you or talk back. The benefits of owning a dog If you treat a dog well, they will love you back unconditionally, which is very important for kids who have experienced some form of abuse. The bond between a human and an animal provides many benefits, including the release of oxytocin, which helps increase trust in humans. Dr. Mark Swaim shares that interacting with dogs also helps reduce stress, as well as symptoms of depression and anxiety that may stem from a traumatic event. The child-dog connection The use of therapy dogs in helping...