April 25th, 2022

​​5 WAYS THAT ALPACA’S CAN ASSIST IN THERAPY:

We are slowly making our way out of a global pandemic that has left many of us with mental health struggles that perhaps were not as severe as before. Lockdowns, isolation, health anxiety. These are all seriously traumatic things for the human spirit to withstand. Whilst anxiety increases, so has the rise in therapy amongst all ages from young children to young adults - and we can understand why.

For many years, the idea of needing therapy came with a wide range of stigmas. People would not communicate their need for an emotional processing outlet, and would keep it all in. People were embarrassed and ashamed to be needing therapy. Their dire need for strength and confidence would not be met, and so the cracks in mental health would deepen from one generation to the next. With that in mind we can understand why the idea of going to therapy can spark some anxiety. That’s where animals such as alpacas come in…

Yep - you read that correctly! Alpaca assisted therapy is an actual, proven method of therapy assistance. Sounds too good to be true right? It’s not! Here are 5 ways that alpacas can act as co-therapists on your journey to mental wellbeing:

1. Unconditional acceptance                                                                                                                                                             No matter what you might be going through - animals treat all of us with the same respect and acceptance. Their affections are not based on judgement. They are present and open to your experience.
2. Science says so…                                                                                                                                                                            It has been scientifically proven that interacting with or stroking an animal such as an Alpaca can increase the level of serotonin, prolactin and oxytocin - all of which hormones that can play a part in elevating moods. What’s more - and this one is very surprising and a testament to how our mental wellbeing affects our bodies - petting or interacting with an animal can decrease blood pressure and anxiety!
3. They provide comfort                                                                                                                                                                      For some people, therapy requires a lot of ‘reliving’ traumatic events - alpacas create a safe and comforting space for one to express their experiences. They are able to keep you calm and stable.
4. Builds strength and confidence                                                                                                                                            Have you ever had a plant that you cared for that went on to bear beautiful flowers? That feeling of pride and self confidence? Well similar feelings can be experienced when we care for animals by feeding them and brushing them.
5. Increases mental stimulation ​                                                                                                                                                One way to strengthen our minds is to increase our mental stimulation. The brain, like a muscle, gets stronger over time the more that you work it. 

There you have it folks! 5 fantastic ways that alpacas can assist with therapy. This is only the tip of the iceberg, too! Chat to us at Crea Pax for more!​