Canine therapy in the treatment of eating disorders
Throughout history, the importance and effectiveness of animals in human life has been studied and proven. The relationship with them, and specifically with dogs, has evolved enormously over time, transforming from a purely utilitarian relationship (animals used for hunting, protection, transportation, herding, etc.) to one of friendship, respect, and companionship.
Canine therapy, or dog-assisted therapy (DAT) , is a type of intervention carried out by health professionals that incorporates these animals into their sessions to benefit precisely from their presence and the bond that is created with them, and that this acts as a reinforcer, accompanies and helps to maintain people with high levels of motivation and involvement , which improves their adherence to treatment and directly promotes their mental health.
Activities with dogs and people with ASD: Therapy or entertainment?
Numerous studies and theories, such as the Biophilia Hypothesis , defined by Erich Fromm and later developed in greater depth by Edward O. Wilson in 1984, argue that all human beings have an innate affinity for nature and for forming emotional bonds with other living systems, and that being in contact with them brings us enormous benefits, such as those that will be described in this article.
Likewise, Anthrozoology, the science that has been dedicated to studying the interactions between human beings and animals, affirms that the bond that unites us with them has regulatory effects at the physiological, psychological and social level.
Thanks to this bond with animals and the work of the professional teams, hospitalized patients who undergo this type of intervention come to see in the dogs a source of support, genuine companionship that doesn't judge them and encourages them to improve themselves every day. These dogs become role models who provide security and relaxation in an environment that can be challenging, as hospital admissions are always difficult situations.
The purpose of incorporating dogs into the treatment is fundamentally to accompany the person to facilitate the environment and so that with the company of the dogs they feel less judged and evaluated , and that the relationship with them is the driving force that motivates them to want to improve and become involved in their rehabilitation process.
One of the innovative projects that has been launched at the Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Deu Numancia Hospital has been, precisely, the Canine Therapy for the subacute ward of eating disorders (TCA) carried out by Entrelazadogs : a team of psychologists and their intervention dogs.
Eating disorders not only affect people physically, but also have negative consequences in the psychological, emotional, and social areas of their lives. The most common consequences include social isolation, difficulties relating to peers and family, challenges in developing self-concept and self-acceptance, emotional instability, anxiety, low self-esteem, low frustration tolerance, and difficulty controlling impulses. All of these factors directly impact the development of the individual's life stages.
The project aims to address all of the aforementioned issues, which are crucial for individuals with eating disorders. Through canine therapy, the project seeks to enhance various psychotherapeutic interventions, make hospitalization more pleasant, easier, and more enriching, increase motivation to participate in group activities, and improve adherence to therapeutic programs. It also aims to normalize and destigmatize eating disorders and the work of psychology teams. Furthermore, it seeks to reduce the relapse rate.
What are the dogs like that visit the hospital?
The main protagonists of this project are the dogs: Black, Bamba, and Bambú. They are well-balanced, calm, and sociable, and have been selected and trained to be intervention dogs. They are animals that greatly enjoy social contact with people and are highly sensitive to their emotional state. Their role in the hospital is to accompany all the patients on the eating disorder ward, providing affection, motivation, and companionship while the psychologists work.
Since 2021, every Wednesday they enter through the hospital door wagging their tails, happy, greeting and arousing the interest of everyone they meet, enriching and facilitating the entire hospital environment with their presence, both for those being treated and for the hospital workers.
When they finally arrive on the 7th floor, everyone eagerly awaits them at the door and rushes to greet them, giving them the best of welcomes every week.
The dogs' response is reciprocal and the benefits are bidirectional, as it is no coincidence that the animals appear happy and so comfortable precisely with this group; both parties enjoy the company and the caresses.
When we talk about teenagers with eating disorders, their moods are highly variable and their emotions are always raw. Interacting with dogs in this way allows them to express their affection freely and spontaneously, without prejudice, shame, or social pressure. They know that dogs don't judge them and accept everyone unconditionally, which allows them to forget, even if only for a moment, their reality and their psychological distress.
The program has a very specific methodology. The psychologists at Entrelazadogs don't aim to entertain, distract, or amuse hospitalized people, but rather to demonstrate how dogs, simply by their presence, can offer profound lessons. In group sessions, participants learn about canine language, stress management, their real needs, their perception of the world, conflict resolution, different breed types, their care, their training, and more. By learning about dogs and spending quality time with them, they develop a sensitivity and observational skills that teach them to look beyond their own needs and empathize with these wonderful animals.
Through the activities carried out in the program, residents on this ward learn and develop emotional regulation techniques, improve their social skills, and increase their frustration tolerance . Rigid thinking, the need for control, and limiting beliefs are also reduced when they have formed a strong bond with the dogs, who become their main source of motivation. This allows them to set aside their symptoms associated with the disorder, connect with the present moment, and show greater initiative in performing tasks that, without the animal's presence, would likely cause significant distress, such as handling food, engaging in activities that require them to be in public, or managing their own emotions.
In this unit, all patients have the opportunity to participate in Canine Therapy. As previously mentioned, this program consists of two one-hour sessions per week. The sessions are conducted in small groups (between 5 and 8 people) and always include the psychologist and the dog handler, the therapy animal, and a healthcare professional.
To achieve the program's objectives and the expected results, the team uses its own methodology: the activities and dynamics always center around the dog, facilitating the work of the psychologists, who are responsible for the session and who direct, plan, and develop each of the project's activities. Let's look at an example.
One of the ways empathy is fostered, and consequently, social skills are improved during the sessions, is by observing, evaluating, and analyzing the behavior and language of the dogs in the program. The animals are never restrained, which allows them freedom of movement and enables them to express themselves according to how they feel. This provides the psychologists with valuable information about the emotional state of the group and each individual present in the room, as the dog will spontaneously move away if it senses that people are nervous or that the environment is hostile. Conversely, when it feels comfortable, safe, and confident, it will naturally seek physical contact and proximity with the group members.
The dogs at Entrelazadogs are extremely sensitive animals who constantly perceive people's emotional state and try to act accordingly. It's no coincidence that when Black, Bamba, or Bambú detect that one of the patients is feeling down, they lie down beside them and offer their companionship.
What results have been obtained?
The change in mood among participants in Canine-Assisted Therapy programs is one of the most important aspects to highlight in this type of intervention. People who have difficulty expressing themselves, little initiative to participate, difficulty relating to others, and who appear insecure, hostile, and even distrustful, find in the sessions a safe and comfortable space where acceptance and a sense of belonging prevail—aspects that foster a positive mood and, therefore, recovery. The dogs become a point of common interest and a bond not only among the patients but also with the healthcare staff who work there.
To evaluate these benefits and obtain meaningful results from the program, a pre- and post-intervention satisfaction questionnaire was administered to all participants to determine their expectations for the activity and the improvements they hoped to achieve individually and as a group. The responses were very interesting, with the vast majority being positive and expressing concerns such as: " improved rapport with my peers, increased self-esteem, a way to clear my mind and be more active and positive, learning to be more patient with both the dogs and myself, understanding the dogs' real needs, and preparing myself emotionally to adopt one, etc. "
The average score was 8.4 out of 10. These results, although further research and much more information will be needed, are positive and demonstrate that once again, nature and contact with animals provide benefits at all levels and that people living in hospitals can and deserve to enjoy them.
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