Dog Therapy also known as pet therapy or Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) is a psychological therapy that utilizes the connection between humans and animals to bring about change and healing. In AAT, animals are specifically trained and integrated into treatment to improve physical, emotional and cognitive functions among clients. Like any other form of therapy, AAT is also goal-directed and can be used in the treatment of various issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, etc.
Dogs and horses are the most commonly used animals in Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT), but other animals, such as cats and even birds, can be used for therapeutic purposes. In this article, we’’ll look at dog therapy providers in the city of Kolkata.
Are Dogs Good For Your Mental Health?
As discussed earlier, Animal Assisted Therapy or Dog Therapy utilizes the connection between humans and animals. Research suggests that interacting with animals, such as dogs, can be helpful not only in therapy but also outside of therapy-related situations. Let’s look at some benefits of interacting with dogs.
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- Dogs can offer unconditional support, which can help reduce feelings of loneliness. They also increase the levels of dopamine and oxytocin, leading to increased feelings of happiness. A study conducted in 2021 during the pandemic found that people with pets experienced higher levels of well-being
- Playing with dogs can reduce anxiety and stress
- Playing with dogs can be a good form of physical exercise, leading to better physical health
Thus, there is enough evidence to suggest that interacting with dogs can have multiple physical and mental health benefits.
Dog Therapy In Kolkata
As Dog Therapy is a developing school of thought in India, there is only one centre that offers Dog therapy in Kolkata. Let’s look at the same.
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Indian Mother And Child Care, West Bengal
Indian Mother and Child Care is a Non-Governmental organization that primarily works to provide support to children and adults with special needs. They work in the areas of assessment, diagnosis, therapeutic support and inclusive education for children and adults with special needs. They also have a residential school for children and adolescents with various behavioural problems and multiple disabilities, such as Asperger’s Syndrome, ADHD or cerebral palsy.
As a part of therapeutic interventions, the NGO provides children with animal animal-assisted therapy with the help of dogs. They believe that animals such as dogs provide young children with an opportunity to connect with another living being, while also aiding physical therapy, motivation and confidence in children. Therapy sessions involving dogs seem to be enjoyable and more pleasurable, as well as leading to productive outcomes.
Link: https://motherandchildschool.com/about-us.html
Dog-Friendly Cafes In Kolkata
While there are limited dog therapy providers in Kolkata, you can always visit dog-friendly cafes and places to interact with your furry friends. As mentioned earlier, playing or interacting with dogs outside of therapy settings may not be as beneficial as therapy, but it has its benefits. Let’s look at a few Dog-friendly cafes in Kolkata
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The Backyard
The Backyard is a pet-friendly cafe located in the Topsia region of Kolkata. This place has a dedicated pet lawn where both kids and adults can play with dogs and cats.
Link: https://www.instagram.com/thebackyardkolkata/?hl=en
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Hugo And Finn
Hugo and Finn is a pet-friendly cafe located at Camac Street Area in Kolkata. This is a place where you can meet and interact with the dogs of other pet parents.
Link: https://www.instagram.com/hugo_and_finn/?hl=en
Disclaimer:
It is important to note that the above information is based on our research, and we do not have any association or personal experience with the above-mentioned organizations and places. Thus, it is advisable to conduct your own research before visiting any place or organisation.
References:
- Animal / Pet—Assisted Therapy & Activities, Horses, Dolphins, Dogs, Kolkata, Mother and Child Welfare and Research Foundation India. (n.d.). Retrieved October 14, 2024, from https://motherandchildschool.com/animal-pet-therapy.html
- Animal therapy: How it works, benefits, and more. (2020, July 10). https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/animal-therapy
- Are Pets Good For Your Mental Health? | Mind Voyage. (n.d.). Retrieved October 14, 2024, from https://mindvoyage.in/are-pets-good-for-your-mental-health/
- Kolkata’s Top 10 Pet-Friendly Cafes And Pubs. (n.d.). Slurrp. Retrieved October 14, 2024, from https://www.slurrp.com/article/kolkatas-top-10-pet-friendly-cafes-and-pubs-1675253918520
- Mother and Child | NGO for Autism in India | Poor Children | Handicapped Children in India | Women Ngo | Girl child Ngo | Ngo Bengal | Ngo INDIA. (n.d.). Retrieved October 14, 2024, from https://motherandchildschool.com/about-us.html
- The Backyard (@thebackyardkolkata) • Instagram photos and videos. (n.d.). Retrieved October 14, 2024, from https://www.instagram.com/thebackyardkolkata/
