Animal-Assisted Therapy: How It Supports Mental Health and Healing

Animal-assisted therapy is an important part of mental health treatment, especially for adolescents facing emotional and behavioral challenges. The connection between humans and animals offers security and companionship that can be hard to find elsewhere. For teens struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or social difficulties, this therapy creates opportunities for healing in a way that feels natural and nonjudgmental.

The Science Behind Animal-Assisted Therapy

Research shows that interactions with animals can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and increase oxytocin levels, a hormone linked to bonding and emotional regulation. Petting a dog or spending time with a horse can trigger relaxation, helping to calm the nervous system and ease anxiety.

For teens who resist or have struggled with traditional talk therapy, animals can provide a bridge to deeper emotional expression. Their presence lowers defenses, making it easier to share feelings. This makes animal-assisted therapy a valuable addition to other approaches.

Building Trust and Social Skills

Many adolescents struggle with trust due to past trauma, social anxiety, or relationship difficulties. Therapy animals offer a reliable and consistent presence. Unlike human interactions, which can feel complicated, relationships with animals are straightforward. This helps teens gain confidence in their ability to connect with others.

Working with animals also requires patience, responsibility, and nonverbal communication skills. Learning to read an animal’s body language and respond appropriately teaches valuable lessons about empathy and emotional awareness, which translate to human relationships.

Emotional Regulation and Stress Reduction

One of the strongest benefits of animal-assisted therapy is its ability to support emotional regulation. Engaging with animals shifts attention away from distressing thoughts and provides a grounding presence. This is especially helpful for teens experiencing stress, emotional dysregulation, or difficulty managing impulsivity.

The sensory experience of interacting with animals—whether through petting, grooming, or sitting quietly together—has a calming effect. This can be particularly beneficial for adolescents with anxiety, PTSD, or sensory processing challenges.

Strengthening Therapeutic Outcomes

Animal-assisted therapy is often part of a broader treatment plan, increasing the effectiveness of other interventions. Whether used in individual therapy, group sessions, or experiential learning, animals help break down barriers and encourage engagement.

For example, equine therapy helps build trust and communication skills, while canine-assisted therapy provides comfort during emotionally intense moments. These interactions create a sense of accomplishment and self-efficacy, reinforcing progress in therapy.

Animal Therapy at Eva Carlston Academy

Eva Carlston Academy recognizes the impact of animal-assisted therapy on young women navigating emotional and behavioral challenges. Our approach integrates this therapy into individualized treatment plans, giving students meaningful opportunities to develop trust, manage stress, and improve communication skills.

By working with animals in a structured, supportive environment, students at Eva Carlston gain insights into their emotions and behaviors. These experiences build self-awareness and the ability to form healthy relationships—key components of lasting emotional growth.

A Meaningful Path to Healing

Animal-assisted therapy is more than a calming activity; it is a therapeutic tool that strengthens emotional regulation and personal development. By incorporating animals into the healing process, teens gain confidence, improve social skills, and experience emotional support in a natural and reassuring way.

For adolescents facing challenges, the presence of an animal can make all the difference. With the right guidance and structure, animal-assisted therapy can help teens develop self-awareness and emotional well-being.

Sources:

Ascend Healthcare. “Animal Assisted Therapy: Benefits for Teens.” Ascend Healthcare, 2023, https://www.ascendhc.com/teen-rehab-blog/animal-assisted-therapy/.

UCLA Health. “Animal-Assisted Therapy Research.” UCLA Health, 2023, https://www.uclahealth.org/programs/pac/about-us/animal-assisted-therapy-research.

Psychology Today. “6 Benefits of Animal-Assisted Therapy for Teenagers.” Psychology Today, 2023, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/communication-success/202305/6-benefits-of-animal-assisted-therapy-for-teenagers.