Pet Therapy in Addiction Recovery
Pets at Whiteside Manor
Pets can bring joy to our lives.
Interacting with animals is
good release good for our
physical
state as our minds release good
hormones to help boost our immune system.
There are many benefits attributed to interactions with animals. These include lowered blood pressure and heart rate, decreased stress levels, reduced feelings of anger, hostility, tension and anxiety, improved social functioning, and increased feelings of empowerment, trust, patience and self-esteem. Pets are looked upon as both a learning and healing experience.
Pets are an important part of the addiction treatment therapy at Whiteside Manor. Academic literature, in leading research journals, documents that "pet therapy" is one of the most effective means of helping recovering people re-establish a sense of acceptance, self-esteem, and to initiate re-entry into the mainstream of life. Experience has shown that the existence of pets in Whiteside's drug and alcohol programs is a major aid in the treatment and recovery process. Many people begin their journeys by relating to an animal that unconditionally accepts them and loves them, and becomes a strong sense of attachment to the program. We accommodate those with animal allergies.