Question: What does Prozac, Valium, and Rover have in common?
\nAnswer: They all reduce the physiologic sign of stress; i.e lower blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate. <\/p>\n
Thirty years ago two mental health professionals, Dr. Alan Beck of Purdue University and Dr. Aaron Katcher of the University of Pennsylvania, published the first study demonstrating the reduction in heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure, in anxious individuals while petting a friendly and familiar dog.
\nAnother study published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine established a decrease in the level of the stress hormone cortisol while petting an animal.
\nThe effects are seen to 20 minutes after petting the animal, in contrast to drugs which work thirty minutes after ingestion.
\nA study conducted on close to 6000 people in Australia found that pet owners had lower blood pressure and cholesterol compared to non pet owners.
\nAn interesting study published in the American Journal of Cardiology, followed over 400 patients release from the hospital after a heart attack, and found those that were pet owners, we’re 8.6 times more likely to be alive one year later than non pet owners.<\/p>\n
So as a psychopharmacologist, I occasionally encounter the patient that for one reason or another can not tolerate medication, but presents with crippling anxiety. So, I thought, “based on the above studies, why not prescribe a dog.”
\nAnd did just that. With great results I might add.
\nAnd I researched the criteria for a service dog…<\/p>\n
And developed puppies with a purpose to share with other mental health professionals.<\/p>\n
I practiced with a canine for the past 14 years, to help calm anxious patients in the treatment room.<\/p>\n
I am a firm believer in animal assisted therapies, especially for psychiatric patients.<\/p>\n
Hopeful, one day, animal assisted therapy will be as popular as art therapy and occupational therapy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Question: What does Prozac, Valium, and Rover have in common? Answer: They all reduce the physiologic sign of stress; i.e lower blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate. Thirty years ago two mental health professionals, Dr. Alan Beck of Purdue … Continue reading