Animal Assisted Therapy
Animal-assisted therapy offers significant benefits for individuals battling substance abuse by providing emotional support, fostering trust, and encouraging positive behavior changes. The presence of a trained therapy animal can help reduce anxiety and stress, which are often triggers for substance use. The unconditional companionship of animals also helps build self-esteem and encourages individuals to engage in therapy and recovery processes. Additionally, interacting with animals can promote a sense of routine and responsibility, which are crucial for establishing healthy habits. By creating a nurturing environment and offering emotional relief, animal-assisted therapy enhances overall treatment outcomes and supports long-term recovery.
What Sets Us Apart
01
EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy offers significant benefits for individuals dealing with addiction. For many people, addiction is a coping mechanism for managing unresolved traumatic experiences
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Wellness Therapies
Wellness Therapy addresses the emotional, mental, and social dimensions of recovery. Includes practices such as mindfulness, meditation, yoga, and nutritional counseling
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animal Assisted Therapy
Animal-assisted therapy offers significant benefits for individuals battling substance abuse by providing emotional support, fostering trust, and encouraging positive behavior changes.
Sonny Cogan
Seaquell House
AAT Therapist
Sonny is a Good Boy
Why Animal Assisted Therapy
AAT Impact on Anxiety
Animal-assisted therapy has been shown to have profound effects on reducing anxiety, offering a unique and effective complement to traditional therapeutic approaches. The presence of a calm, friendly animal can provide immediate emotional relief and help lower cortisol levels, which are often elevated during periods of anxiety. Interacting with animals promotes relaxation and distracts individuals from their stressors, fostering a sense of comfort and security. The non-judgmental companionship of a therapy animal encourages openness and reduces feelings of isolation, which can further alleviate anxiety. Additionally, the routine and responsibility involved in caring for an animal can contribute to a more structured and reassuring daily life. Overall, animal-assisted therapy creates a soothing and supportive environment that can significantly diminish anxiety and enhance emotional well-being.
AAT Impact on Trauma
Animal-assisted therapy offers valuable benefits for individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by providing a source of comfort, stability, and emotional support. The presence of a trained therapy animal can help reduce symptoms such as hypervigilance and emotional numbness, offering a safe and non-judgmental space where individuals can process their trauma. Animals can act as a calming influence, helping to lower stress levels and facilitate relaxation through physical contact and companionship. Engaging in activities with therapy animals, such as walking or grooming, can also serve as grounding techniques that bring individuals back to the present moment. Additionally, the routine and responsibility of caring for an animal can foster a sense of purpose and structure, aiding in the recovery process. By offering unconditional support and promoting emotional healing, animal-assisted therapy plays a crucial role in helping individuals with PTSD navigate their journey toward recovery.
Outcomes with AAT
Animal-assisted therapy for substance abuse is a therapeutic approach that integrates trained animals into the treatment process to support individuals in their recovery journey. This therapy involves the use of specially trained animals, such as dogs or horses, to provide emotional support, enhance motivation, and foster a sense of companionship. The presence of these animals can help alleviate stress and anxiety, which are often triggers for substance use, while also promoting a sense of routine and responsibility. Through structured interactions and activities with the animals, individuals can develop coping skills, build self-esteem, and establish healthier patterns of behavior. By creating a nurturing and non-judgmental environment, animal-assisted therapy complements traditional treatment methods, offering a holistic approach that addresses both emotional and psychological aspects of substance abuse recovery.
How Does It Work
During animal-assisted therapy for individuals struggling with substance abuse, a variety of engaging activities are designed to promote emotional healing and support recovery. Participants may engage in hands-on interactions with therapy animals, such as grooming, feeding, and walking dogs or horses, which fosters a sense of responsibility and routine. Therapeutic exercises might include training the animal in basic commands or participating in structured play activities, which help build trust and enhance communication skills. Additionally, clients may take part in reflective discussions with their therapists about their experiences with the animals, exploring how these interactions influence their feelings and behaviors. These activities not only provide immediate emotional relief and reduce stress but also encourage the development of coping strategies, self-discipline, and positive social interactions, all of which are crucial for sustaining long-term recovery from substance abuse.
what makes us different
Residential Addiction Treatment
Behavioral Therapy:
Ongoing cognitive behavioral therapy helps patients learn to cope with cravings and any other lingering issues associated with their addiction.
Family Therapy:
In some instances, patients may benefit from working through addiction with the inclusion of family. This therapy aims to improve relationships and work through situational problems to ensure a successful recovery.
Medical Treatment:
Medications are available to reduce the unpleasant symptoms of drug and alcohol detox as well as prevent cravings. These may be oral or injected medications.
Group Therapy:
Patients work together with others in treatment to establish a strong supportive foundation for recovery.
Holistic Treatments:
These focus on restoring the mind, body and spirit through yoga, meditation, and natural remedies.
Nutritional Therapy:
Due to the detrimental effects drugs and alcohol have on the body, nutrition is key to rebuilding health.