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Animal-assisted therapy - magic or medicine?
1Life Sciences Research Institute, Technikon Pretoria, Private Bag X680, 0001, Pretoria, South Africa. odendaalj@techpta.ac.za
Journal of Psychosomatic Research
|December 20, 2000
Abstract:
A sound theoretical basis supported by scientifically measured physiological parameters is needed to gain medical support for animal-assisted therapy. Six neurochemicals associated with a decrease in blood pressure were measured in humans (n=18) and dogs (n=18) before and after positive interaction. Results (P<.05) indicated that in both species the neurochemicals involved with attention-seeking or attentionis egens behavior have increased. This information can be used as a rationale for animal-assisted therapy.