HOW SPECIALLY TRAINED DOGS
ARE HELPING PEOPLE THROUGH A DIVORCE
In 1967, the Holmes and Rahe stress scale was created to measure an individual’s level of stress, based on 43-different life events. After a person completes a form filled with an array of questions, the responses are calculated. The latest results reveal that divorce and marital separation are only overshadowed by death in terms of stress levels. In addition to causing a person’s stress to soar, a divorce can also take a toll on their mental, emotional and physical health. According to the American Psychological Association, divorce can lead to increased anxiety, depression, loneliness, lack of self-esteem and feelings of insecurity, which is why in addition to talking to a licensed professional, such as a therapist, people are also seeking the aide of dogs to help them get through this difficult time.
PetHelpful.com says dogs ranked as being the most popular household pet, where approximately 45% of U.S. households, or about 65.1 million households, own a dog. Not only can dogs uplift the mood and dynamic in a home because they make great companions and are playful, but Zebra.com, a website offering all kinds of insurance including pet insurance, found 74% of pet owners believe their mental health improved after getting a pet, which is why they are growing in popularity in comforting people during a crisis.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN
SUPPORT ANIMALS
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) reports there are roughly 500,000 service dogs, and 200,000 emotional support animals specially trained to comfort a person in pain. Linda Keehn of Positive Canine Training and Services, LLC. tells Pet Lifestyles Magazine, “When it comes to working with dogs there are; Therapy Dogs, Emotional Support Animals and Service Dogs.” She explains, “Therapy dogs are used to help someone else,” and Nancy George-Michalson, Executive Director of New York Therapy Animals, Inc. adds, “A therapy dog along with their human partner (called a team) can benefit many people.”
“Service dogs,” Keehn says, “work for their owners and are task trained such as acting as a guide dog for someone who is visually impaired whereas an Emotional Support Animal provides emotional support to a specific person, such as their owner or handler.”
“In a situation that impacts a person emotionally, such as a divorce,” George-Michalson tells Pet Lifestyles Magazine, “they would probably seek the aid of a Therapy Dog or an Emotionally Support Animal (ESA), which are being used by some psychologists who invite the animals into their practice or have patients bring in their own emotional support dogs to further advance their recovery.”
George-Michalson says, “Other benefits the dogs have included a person’s blood pressure and heart rate decrease; breathing slows, feeling of relaxation, they are good for social interaction, connection, conversation, interpersonal communication, attention, they lessen isolation, bring out smiles, provide stability, establish trust plus a dog is nonjudgmental.”
Everyone handles their divorce differently, and for anyone needing a little extra encouragement, working with or getting a dog can be a great option. But Keehn says it is important to know the differences so you understand the parameters because some dogs have certain limitations as to where they are allowed to go. For example, Keehn says, “Therapy dogs do not have public access except when they are invited into places such as a psychologist’s office, hospital or a support group. Service dogs are allowed public access such as going to restaurant and stores while an Emotional Support Animal is not allowed public access but could live in housing that may not normally accept animals.”
Another distinction between the three categories of dogs is in the training. George-Michalson tells PLM, “To register a therapy dog at the New York Therapy Animals, Inc. there are requirements such as attending the organization’s seven-week education and training program that culminates in an evaluation assessment to pass and to then volunteer with our many partnerships. The dog must also be approved for health, safety, and appropriate temperament by their veterinarian.”
An Emotional Support Animal, according to the American Kennel Club may be trained for a specific owner, not specific tasks because they are considered to be a companion animal to help with anxiety, depression, and loneliness.”
A divorce is like an earthquake. It can shake and break-apart a person’s foundation, sometimes without warning and leave them feeling rattled and vulnerable. This is why more divorceés are aligning themselves with pets because, experts say, these furry buddies bring consistency, create a sense of normalcy, help build a new routine including caring for the dog, walking and exercising with the dog, playing with the dog plus they provide structure and familiarity during an uncertain time.
