World Mental Health Week: More people seeking animal-assisted therapy

Key Concepts

• Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI): The use of trained animals, such as dogs and horses, to help individuals manage stress, trauma, and anxiety.
• Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT): A specific application of AAI, often complementing traditional counseling and rehabilitation, aimed at improving mental and physical well-being.
• Cortisol: A primary stress hormone, levels of which can be lowered by AAT.
• Dopamine: A neurotransmitter associated with mood and pleasure, levels of which can be boosted by AAT.
• Psychotherapy: Traditional talk therapy; AAT is presented as a complementary approach rather than a substitute.
• Motor Skills & Balance: Physical abilities that can be improved through interactions with animals, particularly horses.

Introduction to Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI)

The World Mental Health Week on CNA highlights "access to psychological services," with Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI) emerging as a significant area. AAI involves trained animals, primarily dogs and horses, to assist individuals in managing stress, trauma, and anxiety. This approach is gaining global recognition, moving beyond a mere novelty.

Global and Regional Growth of Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT)

The global pet therapy market is projected to grow substantially, from $331 million in 2024 to $477 million by 2030. This growth is primarily driven by increasing mental health awareness and the lingering effects of post-pandemic stress. Across Asia, countries like Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia are increasingly integrating AAT into hospitals and social service agencies to complement existing counseling and rehabilitation programs.

Benefits and Mechanisms of AAT

A Singaporean study has demonstrated that animal therapy can significantly alleviate depression symptoms. It achieves this by:

• Lowering stress hormones: Specifically, reducing cortisol levels.
• Boosting mood chemicals: Increasing dopamine, which contributes to improved mood.
• Calming the body: Promoting a sense of tranquility.

While the study notes that AAT may not be a direct substitute for psychotherapy, it is highly effective in helping individuals to "open up and to stay engaged" in their therapeutic process.

Case Studies and Real-World Applications in Singapore

Singapore is actively embracing AAT, with interest continually climbing.

• EQUAL Social Enterprise: This organization has seen a significant increase in beneficiaries, with over 820 people participating in animal-assisted programs in the past year, a nearly 14% jump from 722 the previous year.
• "Hay Days with Horses" Initiative: EQUAL's latest program aims to reach 800 seniors across NTU Health nursing homes and active aging centers, signifying a growing effort to establish AAT as a recognized form of care.
• Weihao's Experience: A 19-year-old suffering from a rare disorder affecting movement and speech finds profound comfort and ease around horses. Despite struggling with human interaction, horses serve as "gentle healers" for him. Interactions, such as riding, help improve his motor skills and balance. A staff member noted, "It's not like a regular therapy in an indoor setting. We are always in outdoors interacting with animals which is the horses over here. And you know horses really mirror our our emotions. So when the kids even with the most aggressive behavior when they're here, they're very calm when they are mingling with the horses."
• Doctors Non-Profit: This organization utilizes dogs to visit a Chaichi nursing home monthly, providing comfort and companionship to seniors, aiming to ease loneliness and spark connections.

Challenges and Animal Welfare Considerations

Despite the growing demand and proven benefits, several challenges impede the wider adoption of AAT:

• Space Constraints: The therapeutic horse riding training organization, for instance, struggles to secure a permanent home and is vulnerable to rising rents.
• Funding: While funding has improved for some non-profit organizations like Doctors, there is still a need for more resources to expand outreach, particularly to lower-income families.
• Public Acceptance: A significant challenge, especially for dog-assisted therapy, is the lack of public acceptance of dogs in public spaces. Handlers often face negative reactions and even scolding from the public when bringing therapy dogs to client locations, making the experience "very unpleasant for them."
• Animal Welfare: The well-being of therapy animals is paramount. Therapy horses, like Mirabel (a trained horse from Germany), undergo specific training to comfortably interact with diverse clients, including children with special needs. They are also given at least an hour break between sessions to ensure their welfare. Proper training for both the animals and their handlers is crucial.

Professional Perspective on AAI's Role

A mental health professional emphasizes that AAI serves as a "gentle way to support therapy." Traditional therapy can be "very overwhelming and quite can be distressing" due to the sensitive topics discussed. Animals help to "compliment" this process by creating a non-judgmental environment, allowing individuals to open up gradually without the immediate pressure of discussing fears or feeling judged. The professional believes AAI can help young people build confidence and reconnect in an increasingly digital world.

Conclusion

Animal Assisted Intervention is a rapidly expanding and effective approach to mental health support, offering unique benefits in managing stress, trauma, and anxiety, and complementing traditional psychotherapy. While it demonstrates significant potential in improving mood, reducing stress hormones, and fostering engagement, its widespread implementation faces hurdles such as securing adequate space, funding, and overcoming public acceptance issues. Prioritizing the welfare and proper training of therapy animals and their handlers remains crucial for the continued success and ethical expansion of this impactful form of care. In an age dominated by screens, the simple comfort of an animal can indeed "open the door to the deepest change."