Sometimes these events precipitate major changes in the patient's ability to cope with their illnesses, triggering an increasing sense of hopelessness, causing patients to discontinue their mental health treatment, or stop taking medication. Pet Therapy is an exciting treatment modality used with adult and geriatric patients suffering from depression, chronic mental illness, or deteriorating mental status associated with aging. Pet Therapy is used in both inpatient and outpatient treatment programs as part of the overall treatment process. Pet Therapy offers the patient something unique - an opportunity to give and receive unconditional affection. In cooperation with a veterinary hospital, dogs certified to be disease free and behaviorally appropriate, are specially trained to work with the mentally ill.
Patients have the opportunity to groom, play with, and learn about animal care.
Patients are encouraged to remember and talk about pets from their own lives. Those who participate in Pet Therapy, report a decrease in depression, increased self esteem, and an increased general activity level. That I could make that dog happy, made me feel better. In conjuncture with Paumonack Veterinary Hospital, PsychCare at Brookhaven was the first hospital in Suffolk County to incorporate Pet Therapy into the treatment program. Its tremendous success has led other hospitals and programs to try this innovative approach to mental health treatment.