What We Believe About Animal Care Therapy
Everyone’s Day Hab believes exercise therapy and animal care therapy are both crucial for our clients with intellectual and physical disabilities. Exercise therapy, such as our Power to Move program, plays a significant role in improving our client’s physical health, mental well-being and overall quality of life.
Animal care therapy, on the other hand, is a transformative approach for adults with intellectual and physical disabilities. It offers a unique blend of emotional, social, and physical benefits.
The Benefits for our Special Needs Clients
Engaging in the care and fostering of animals with disabilities fosters empathy, responsibility, and a sense of purpose in our clients. A study conducted by the Kennedy Krieger Institute, a premier healthcare research organization focused on developmental disabilities and disorders of the brain, found that the act of caring for animals can lower cortisol levels and boost endorphin production, leading to improved mood and emotional well-being.
Our clients also receive physical benefits from caring for animals. Activities like grooming and walking the animals encourage physical activity which results in exercise and increased mobility for our clients.
Caring for animals that have challenges similar to our clients has fostered empathy, responsibility, and a sense of purpose for our clients. This therapy also promotes social interaction and communication skills as clients often work together to care for the animals. We believe this enhances their ability to connect with others.
It is Everyone’s Day Hab’s belief that by incorporating animal care therapy with our other therapies we are providing a holistic approach that addresses both the emotional and physical needs of our clients. We feel these therapies are essential for creating a supportive and enriching environment for our adults with special needs.
Everyone’s Day Hab’s Animal Care Partners
Our clients love our animal care therapy and we couldn’t provide this program without the cooperation and support of these wonderful non-profit organizations. If you would like to pursue a home-based foster care animal for your special needs loved one, please contact them for more information.