A survivor of traumatic brain injury, Clawson, told Ameri Disability that caring for bunnies helped her with physical, cognitive, emotional, and social needs. She can work on her balance and coordination when getting down on the floor to play with them or groom them. Cleaning out their litter boxes and picking up their supplies help to strengthen her body too.
“I’m able to shut out any worry or anxiety and just focus on my rabbits being silly or napping peacefully,” Clawson adds.
Using horses to help people even has its own term - equine therapy. It doesn’t necessarily involve riding them and instead offers an experience in which the therapist walks the person through activities and interactions with the animal. The emphasis here is on making a connection with the creature.
An individual may groom or feed it and learn how to harness and lead a horse around a small area. By creating a personal bond with a non-judgmental companion, one can gain empathy and independence and increase the level of stress one can handle.
Choosing animal-assisted therapy can be a great choice for a lot of people. Healthcare specialists may recommend it for various reasons, just with different goals in mind for each person.
