Animal Therapy Proves Helpful in a Spinal Cord Injury

Using Animals as Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury Patients

Recently, researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham published a paper discussing the use of animal therapy in the treatment of spinal cord injuries. According to the paper, about 17,000 new cases of spinal cord damage take place on an annual basis in the United States. This number does not include the individuals who are already living in the United States with injuries of the spine. When someone is recovering from a spinal cord injury, a lot of focus is placed on the physical aspect of trying to regain lost motor and sensory function. Unfortunately, the emotional and mental toll of dealing with this serious traumatic injury is often lost in the shuffle.

The researchers from the university partnered with an organization called Hand in Paw. This organization is one of the leading providers of animal therapy in the region. The researchers followed patients during their treatment following a new spinal cord injury.

Difficulty with Rehabilitation Following a Spinal Cord Injury

According to the researchers, individuals who have been diagnosed with an injury of the spine often spend five weeks or more in the hospital. During this time, daily physical exams are performed, and patients often receive multiple imaging scans to track their recovery. The medical aspect of this injury is essential; however, the researchers state that patients often have trouble coming to terms with their injury emotionally. Patients can have a hard time grappling with the idea of having a disability that may last the rest of their life.

As a result, these individuals are at high risk for psychological distress. This can often take the form of emotional lability, anxiety, and even major depressive disorder. Because of the risk of mental health issues, emotional rehabilitation is an important part of every treatment plan. This is where animal therapy plays a crucial role.

Animal Therapy as a Treatment Plan

The researchers enlisted the help of therapy dogs to help patients who had been diagnosed with a spinal cord injury. Trained occupational therapists worked with the patients and the dogs over the course of multiple treatment sessions. Individuals who had been diagnosed with spinal injuries worked on their motor skills while interacting with animals. This included walking the dogs, giving them pets, and feeding them. This helped to promote gross motor skills and core strength.

The dogs also helped patients work on their fine motor skills. Some of the examples of these exercises included pulling dog treats out of the bags, pouring water into the dog bowls, and draping necklaces around the dogs. During the study, the researchers tracked the improvement of the patients in multiple areas.

The Results of the Study

The scientists recorded the stress levels of the patients during the course of this treatment plan. The researchers found that the stress levels of the patients dropped across the board. This therapy had the greatest impact during the first session, helping to alleviate depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. The results demonstrate that animal therapy should play a role in treatment plans for spinal cord injuries moving forward. The researchers want to explore the possibility of making changes to the treatment plan to improve its efficacy. Animal therapy can help patients work on their motor skills and can improve their quality of life.

Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyers

I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer. Animal therapy can be helpful for individuals who are recovering from a spinal cord injury. If someone you know has been diagnosed with a significant injury due to the negligence of another person or entity, please call me today by dialing (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice.