For some, surviving – and thriving – after a stroke can be helped along by having your Dog be a part of the rehabilitation process.
Suffering from a stroke is something that no person in their right mind would wish on anyone else. At the very least, it’s the equivalent of getting some of your reflexes and mental abilities disrupted to the point where you may have to train yourself to use them again or even learn how to use those abilities and body functions differently. At the very worst, you can be trapped in your own body, be it in a partial state of dysfunction where you have to learn to make do with only one functional arm or leg, or you may only have one arm, leg, finger, or even just your eyes to communicate with the outside world.
This sort of sudden health issue can be devastating on many levels, and one can lose the will to keep on going.
That’s where our furry family comes in. With animal-assisted therapy, animals can help us carry on.
HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU’RE HAVING A STROKE?
While there are many kinds of stroke, it is basically this: Blood flow to or inside your brain has been interrupted, which leads to brain injury from lack of oxygen. And when the brain is deprived of oxygen, that’s when things can go horribly wrong.
These are the warning signs, known by their acronym FAST.
Other symptoms to watch out for: numbness on one side of the body, confusion, trouble with vision in one or both eyes, trouble with walking or balancing, and severe headaches.
Remember, time is of the essence! Get help quickly!
A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
Many people, no doubt, may feel that the idea of animal assistance in recovering from a stroke is a subjective thing. Perhaps it is, but it can’t be denied that our companions can help in keeping our spirits up.
In an interview with Joey, a person who had many canine companions, it turns out that his Dogs were a source of strength and assurance. Joey has been a Dog lover since childhood, and they have become life companions for his family.
Animal Scene: Can you share a bit about your illness?
Joey: I had a stroke and another problem [that] required surgery. [All this] happened in a short span of time. And my stroke… It was a major stroke. [But] instead of losing hope, our Dogs kept me alive.
AS: How did your Dogs play a role in your healing?
Joey: They were always with me. Sa hospital lang hindi sila pwede sumama, eh . . . When I was discharged from the hospital, I stayed for a month in a condo unit at One Shangri-La Place in Mandaluyong City. I had the Dogs with me every day. Small Dogs lang ang pwede doon, and they had to be registered.
They were with me day in and day out, and they snuggled up to me. If you [were to] look in their eyes, makikita mo doon yung concern sa kanila. They never strayed far from me.
AS: Did they improve your well-being?
Joey: Personally, they did a lot for me. They contributed a lot to my healing process, and they were there through thick and thin. I would not know what I would have done with them, because after my stroke, I could hardly write, I could hardly speak, I could hardly recognize – you know, my hand-eye coordination was really bad . . . I could not sign anything. The bank could not honor my signature.
We choose places that are Dog-friendly… ‘Pag hindi, ayaw namin.
I had to relearn my speech, my thoughts, my thought process – everything I did. It took me about a year and a half to be 80% of what I [used to be]. I was undergoing therapy then: speech therapy, physical therapy. Yung Dogs, hindi sila nahiwalay sa amin.
AS: Do you think your recovery would have been different without your Dogs?
Joey: Definitely. I was used to having Dogs around, and there was this sort of unspoken communication with them. They are really intelligent. If you look into their eyes, you can tell.
AS: Did your relationship with them change after your recovery?
Joey: [We] became closer. For example, [we] would go to Batangas, just the two of us. Tapos matutulog kami doon. Gigisingin niya ako nang alas-dos ng madaling araw. Gusto niya yung simoy ng hangin ng dagat. We would go to the beach, aamoy-amoyin niya ‘yun, uupo siya, at babalik siya sa kwarto. It’s like, if only he could speak, tao na yan.
AS: What would you tell those with animal companions who are now going through what you’ve been through?
Joey: Your Dogs are loyal to you. And I think they feel what you feel. Kaya nila maka-relate sa nararamdaman mo. And it’s like a comfortable blanket. If you are familiar with Snoopy, it’s like Linus’ favorite blanket. Parang ganun yung mga Aso [sa atin].
Our lives have changed: We choose places that are Dog-friendly, even [with] hotels or resorts. ‘Pag hindi, ayaw namin.
ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY
It’s no secret that animals can help people recover from various injuries and medical conditions, not just strokes. But the surprise lies in the fact that it is a recognized and well-organized practice, known as animal-assisted therapy (AAT). AAT practice centers around the participation of animal companions to help people recover emotionally, physically, and mentally from many kinds of medical challenges.
The main idea behind it is that it is supposed to help rehab work and recovery through the creation of a supportive environment where a person can heal, relax, and maintain positive social and emotional engagement, with the help of animal companions.
Depression, feelings of loneliness, and refusal to participate in treatment plans can be minimized or avoided entirely.
HOW AAT HELPS IN HEALING
The overall calming and supportive effect of animal companions on people affects treatment on all levels.
BETTER MENTAL WELL-BEING
Animal companions can help a person by triggering their brain to release mood-enhancing chemicals, which can reduce stress and promote a calmer, more focused mindset.
This is particularly important for therapeutic activities that may be painful and require a lot of focus, which stroke victims will most probably go through.
IMPROVED PHYSICAL HEALTH
Emotional connections to animal companions can make people more willing to go through therapeutic programs that will improve their physical health.
This speeds up their physical recovery significantly. AAT can improve pain relief, lower blood pressure, and even improve immune function.
Simply put, having your furry family nearby may be the solution to getting out of recovery blues, and giving yourself a chance to deal with traumatic medical issues properly.
SHOULD THESE ANIMALS GET CERTIFIED?
There are various kinds of animals helping humans who have medical and psychiatric conditions. Here they are, plus whether or not they need certification.
SERVICE ANIMALS
Normally, Dogs and other companions like them get specialized training to help people with disabilities live with as much ease as possible.
Also known as service animals, these companions are trained so much that they are certified first before being allowed to assist a disabled person. Their training may include helping people with visual or hearing problems or limited movement. They may also be trained to detect signs of specific conditions, such as high blood pressure or allergies.
For those who have survived a stroke, this might mean that their service animals should have more skills, given the many issues they might have in day-to-day life.
THERAPY ANIMALS
Therapy animals (usually Dogs) are companions who are not trained specifically for one person, and are primarily trained to provide affection, comfort, and emotional support to many people.
Their certification is centered more on having mastered their behavior, so that they won’t be unnerved by strangers. They should be able to remain calm even if their surroundings are chaotic or full of distractions.
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS
Emotional support animals (ESAs) are companions who provide mental and emotional support to their human guardians. While there are groups promising to provide ESA certificates, there is no law granting ESAs the same access to specific public spaces as service animals.
A letter may be obtained to confirm that a person does benefit from the company of their ESA, but this may not necessarily be honored by an establishment.
These animals may not be allowed into restaurants and airplanes that aren’t pet-friendly, unlike service animals who are always required by law to accompany their humans, regardless of pet policies.
DO YOU NEED ANIMAL COMPANIONS TO RECOVER?
If you are the sort who loves family members from a different species, then it wouldn’t hurt to either train your own animal companions or seek the services of groups specializing in AAT.
What have you got to lose? Spending therapy or recovery with companions – or enjoying their company if they’re allowed to visit you at the hospital – is an enjoyable way to heal.
