Find Local Treatment Options
Call 888-646-0635 to speak with an alcohol or drug abuse counselor.Who Answers?

Could a Wildlife Rehab Center Work for My Child?

Many parents hear about animal therapy for children and wonder if it will be beneficial for their child. In some cases, kids with attachment issues, foster children, and children on the autism spectrum can receive many benefits from working with animals in a therapeutic situation. However, certain types of animal rehab work better than others when it comes to helping kids.

We can help you find treatment. Call 888-646-0635Who Answers? toll free anytime.

Wildlife Rehab Centers

therapy with animals

Playing with animals can be beneficial for children with mental health challenges.

According to the State Government of Maine, “Wildlife rehabilitation is the process of providing aid to injured orphaned, displaced, or distressed wild animals in such a way that they may survive when released to their native habitats.” This program is extremely helpful for hurt or sick animals and also for the environment as a whole. With wildlife rehab centers, the focus of the program is on helping the animals rehabilitate.

Therefore, this is not a beneficial program for a child to work through their own issues of abandonment, attachment, etc. Animals in these environments are not gentle or docile enough to be around children. “They will bite, scratch, kick, or do whatever is needed to escape. These animals also may transmit diseases and parasites, many of which are particularly dangerous to children.”

Even children who are well adjusted and only want to learn about nature are not advised to become volunteers at a wildlife rehab center. But those who truly need treatment for different issues with which they may be struggling will need to spend time with animals that are more suitable for therapy, and in these rehabilitation centers, the animals are working through their own issues while rehabilitators attempt to get them ready to be back in the wild.

Animal Therapy

However, animals can be a wonderful help in the treatment of children with mental disorders, histories of abuse, or other issues. According to American Humane, “The bond between children and animals is undeniable,” and sometimes, children are able to open up with animals in ways that they are not able to do with adults. This can be enormously beneficial for children with autism or those living with other disorders. In addition, rehabilitation centers do exist where kids can attend therapy sessions with animals in order to work through some of these issues.

  • There are a number of horse farms where former race horses are available for children to ride and bond with. This can help many kids with autism work on coming out of their shells and experiencing something new that they may come to love. This is called equine therapy.
  • Many animal shelters often provide therapy sessions to individuals of all ages. Kids can spend time with older animals here that are more docile and loving, which can help reduce stress.
  • Dolphin-assisted therapy is another option for kids who could benefit from therapeutic animal-human interactions. According to Winona State University, “DAT, is becoming an increasingly popular treatment for ‘illness, disability, and psychopathology in children and adults.”

Children can benefit immensely from working with animals, but wildlife rehab centers are not the place for them to do so. Because of the volatile state of the animals at these facilities, it is better for kids to receive animal therapy through a professional program (and with trained, docile animals) in order to receive the best results.

Call 888-646-0635Who Answers? toll free anytime for help finding treatment.

More Rehab Centers Resources

Expect the Unexpected at Drug Rehab

Drug rehab can cause unexpected problems.

Maybe you are unfamiliar with drug rehab or maybe you only know a little bit about it, the fact is though that you probably have many questions concerning drug rehab and this is likely the reason that you aren’t there yet. People fear the unknown and therefore many refrain from seeking help for drug addiction….

Continue reading

Advantages of Long Term Drug Rehab

Long term drug rehab can help you on a deeper level!

If you’re considering drug rehab for yourself or a loved one, it’s important to consider which type of drug rehab is going to be most beneficial. There are many advantages to long term drug rehab versus a short, program. Most rehab centers provide a range of programs that can differ in length based largely in….

Continue reading

Ask these 10 Questions Before Entering a Treatment Program

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there are a variety of treatment options available. Which one you choose is an extremely difficult and important choice. You should ask some questions before you choose a program to make sure that the program is right for you. 1. Do I want Inpatient or Outpatient Care?….

Continue reading

Your Worst Enemy in Recovery Might be You!

Don't be your own worst enemy in recovery!

What’s the biggest challenge you will face in recovery? If you said anything besides ā€œYOUā€ then you are wrong! That’s right, your worst enemy in recovery, the one that is likely sabotaging your rehabilitation and making things worse is YOU. It’s not your friends, it’s not a poor home life or a dysfunctional family that….

Continue reading

Is Faith Necessary for Rehab?

It seems that every rehab center or service is faith based. Many of the community based programs are as well. It is important to ask the question of whether faith is necessary for rehab and recovery. In order to answer this you need to understand exactly what faith provides to people and how it is….

Continue reading

Life After Drug Rehab: Paying the Bill

Drug rehab can come with a price but donā€™t let that stop you from the recovery you deserve!

Long after you have finished getting treatment for a drug addiction thereā€™s a chance that you will still be paying the bill. The cost of addiction runs far deeper than just the cost of going into treatment.Ā There are other bills that accrue such as the need to pay back the people you love, the need….

Continue reading

How Rehab Helps in Meth Addiction Recovery

meth addiction help

When it comes to methamphetamine addiction recovery, there are many challenges a person will face along the way. While it may be difficult to overcome this type of addiction, it is something that many people successfully accomplish every year. Some people are able to quit cold turkey, overcoming their meth addiction without any outside help…..

Continue reading

Still can't find the help you are looking for?Get Started Now
Accepted Insurances / View the full list
For inquiries call 888-646-0635 Who Answers?

Accepted Insurances Does My Insurance
Cover This?

Calls to the general helpline will be answered by a paid advertiser. By calling the helpline you agree to our terms of use.

I NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE NOWI NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE NOW888-646-0635
Who Answers?

Pin It on Pinterest

Shares