My guest today is Dr. Scott Austin, a therapist who works with children using an interesting method.0:05
First of all, Scott, what makes child patients different from adult?0:13
There are a number of things, but the most important is that a child with problems may not even realize they are suffering.0:18
A parent or guardian usually brings them to me and often the first few sessions are about earning their trust as they're rather suspicious.0:27
Only then can therapy begin.0:38
So that's the main thing.0:41
So how do you do that?0:44
Well, it's not a trick, but rather a technique, and a well established one too.0:47
Pet therapy began in the 1960s when renowned American child psychiatrist Boris Levinson began using animals in his therapy sessions with young disturbed patients.0:53
It all came about when he noticed that having his pet dog in his office during sessions made the children more comfortable and as a result, more willing to open up and talk about their problems.1:07
How common would you say pet therapy is today?1:20
These days pet therapy is widely used globally.1:23
Many experts in therapy, and not just child therapy, have realized that animals can work miracles with patients.1:28
Getting them to open up, as we said before, but also providing them with feelings of companionship, boosting their confidence and even improving their self esteem.1:36
Is there any hard evidence, Scott, that pet therapy works?1:47
In 1977, two psychiatrists called Sam and Elizabeth Courson began a study where they allowed 50 patients to choose a dog from a local kennel.1:52
They were allowed to play with the dog they'd chosen at certain times during the day.2:04
After a brief period of time, the vast majority of them reported feeling happier and more independent.2:09
Their relationship with members of staff also improved.2:17
The two psychiatrists were quite amazed at the degree and speed of improvement.2:22
In fact, have there been uses for animals outside of the strict therapy role?2:26
Well, another study in Australia involved a guide dog named Honey.2:32
Honey, a golden retriever, spent six months at a nursing home interacting with the old people who lived there.2:37
At the end of the study, it was found that all 60 residents reported far fewer feelings of anxiety and an increased interest in other people.2:44
This was compared to another nursing home where no dog was introduced and which enjoyed no such improvement.2:55
In other words, pet therapy should be used even more widely.3:03
There's certainly an argument for that.3:07
People from the entire spectrum, from those suffering serious mental illness to the lonely, the isolated and the withdrawn members of society can all benefit.3:09
I think it's because animals are very non judgmental.3:19
They're always happy to see you, never going somewhere.3:23
What about people with real pets simply having an animal in the home can be incredibly calming for the pet owner.3:28
It seems that people who take care of pets are, perhaps unsurprisingly, more likely to be caring, sociable, and never lonely.3:36
And it doesn't have to be some gigantic dog.3:45
If you live in a town or city, space might be limited, and a canary will have an equal effect.3:49
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