Dogs, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, And ED Recovery

Every Wednesday at 12:00 noon, Walden’s Amherst clinic awaits the arrival of our four-legged friend: Percy Jackson. As the 5-year old Border Collie owned by volunteer Cathy Beck of Bright Spot Therapy Dogs enters the building, clients (and staff, alike!) immediately relax, smile, and soften at the sight of Percy’s friendly, enthusiastic, tail-wagging, happy demeanor. During the half-hour break between group work and lunch, everyone has the opportunity to participate in an increasingly well known, popular, and effective activity—known as animal-assisted-therapy.

Within moments, Percy makes his way down the hallway and becomes encircled by people ready to visit. As everyone gathers around, he greets each person one-by-one and melts onto the floor for petting. The mood and body language of everyone immediately changes: tears are replaced by laughter, anxieties calm, shy and reserved clients open up, and those struggling with dissociation become more present. People engage in light-hearted social talk, stroke Percy’s soft coat, and take a half-hour break from internal worry and struggle.

About animal-assisted-therapy

During the past 10+ years, the integration of therapy dogs across healthcare settings has become increasingly common as patients, clinicians, and research recognize the value in even brief animal-human-interactions.  Noteworthy benefits include reduced blood pressure, stress hormones, pain, anxiety, depression and feelings of isolation, while improving cardiovascular health, positive endorphin release and triggering the body’s relaxation response. Finally, animals can be a source of profound comfort and motivation.

So, what’s the relationship between dogs, DBT, and recovery?

Walden’s fundamental treatment philosophy for treating clients is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a model developed by Marsha Linehan that combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness, and skills training.  During treatment, clients learn the importance of distress tolerance, emotion regulation and mindfulness, as important tools for successful recovery. And this is where an overlap between dogs, DBT, and recovery exists: being with an animal offers people the opportunity to practice and experience all of the above.

Dogs are a positive distraction, and can be deeply soothing. They help regulate difficult moods and build positive emotional experiences. Animals reduce loneliness and can increase interpersonal connection—and significantly, the human-animal relationship is a place of safety and non-judgment. Last but not least, dogs help people get out of their head and back to the present moment.

The clients voice . . .

Although animal lovers, clinical research, and healthcare providers applaud therapy dogs, I think the benefits are best expressed by clients themselves:

“Percy’s comforting nature and playful presence is a perfect mid-week reprieve from the emotional rigor of treatment. My mood is always positively affected by petting, cuddling, and laying on the ground with Percy.”

“I love when Percy comes to visit! If you are having a bad day, he surely makes it better. He is a real-life grounding tool. He teaches many, including Walden staff and patients, to come back to the present moment.  He shows us that it only takes small moments to be happy and smile. He brings light to a place that can seem so dark at times.”

“I love when Percy comes. He provides a great distraction from the stress of the day . . .