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Service animals between school mental health and economic impact

Service animals are at the heart of the reflection to enhance the potential of children with difficulties and also to support the economy. Indeed, following the International Health Summit in Upsal in Sweden, the veterinary pharmaceutical laboratory Ceva Santé Animal highlighted the impact of animals on schoolchildren in difficulty, as well as on the economic benefits of animal assistance. Through a study conducted by a therapy dog educator and a doctor from the Department of Animal Environment and Animal Health, the results speak for themselves. The presence of animals therefore improves mental health and economic performance.

Therapy for people facing difficulties

Animals are good for humans. All animal masters will tell you, they act as a ray of sunshine in their lives. Animals soothe men and reassure them. Sometimes they can even help them heal. Indeed, service animals are used in retirement homes to bring their benefits to the elderly. According to a study by the National School of Public Health in Rennes, they bring companionship; they value non-verbal communication that is free from judgment; they provide calming and promote social contacts.

If animals help the elderly, they can also help children in difficulty. Indeed, the study carried out by Matilda Ström and Dr. Lena Lidfors, “mapping teams of social work dogs in Sweden” has revealed the benefits of animal assistance on schoolchildren with difficulties. In particular, she has shown that service animals help children with autism or who are victims of bullying. The study collected the words of no less than 70 Swedish teachers. They work in schools that use animals. They claimed that, thanks to the presence of animals, the mental health of children has improved. Service animals have reduced absenteeism and thus improved the educational outcomes of these children.

Service animals also work with children with trisomy21 or multiple disabilities. It promotes the development of language and motor skills, as well as a better channeling of energies. But the benefits are not limited to that.

Animaux assistance enfant santé mentale
Service animals help humans rise

Service animals to help children succeed and value the economy

Indeed, if animals help humans in their lives, thanks to their positive impact on humans, they can also bring a lot to the economy. Also according to the study “mapping of social work dog teams in Sweden”, the presence of the animals led to a reduction in funds in order to finance additional teaching staff. At the same time, with children constantly improving, academic results have improved. Therefore, this opens up better prospects for the employment of young people in difficulty. If these young people can find a job, the unemployment figure is falling. Thus, the pressure of the state’s social budget is eased.

However, if animal assistance programs are gradually developing, the road is long due to lack of budget in particular. For example, in Sweden, training a therapy dog costs 3,000 euros. In addition, for a one-year-old dog who begins his mission the cost represents 50,000 euros. In this context, Ceva Santé Animal wishes to promote the benefits of the relationship between humans and animals. In addition, the Aliénor Guide Dog School in Bordeaux is also an important player in promoting this meaningful relationship for society.

Companies and initiatives based on the positive impact of pets and service animals

The power of pets on mental health has long been proven. Nevertheless, initiatives on service animals were previously very medical-oriented. In addition to guide dogs, service dogs for disabled children and pagées, horse therapy has developed, for example. Equine therapy has been recognized since ancient times. For good reason, it makes it possible to work in particular on physical or psychological injuries, such as with people with a motor or mental disability. Thus, it is recognized as beneficial effects that promote verbal and non-verbal communication; gives self-confidence and facilitates initiative; improve muscle tone, balance and spatial tracking; fluidifies the management of emotions and relaxation.

More recently, new concepts have appeared involving pets. This is particularly the case of cat bars that offer people to come and have tea or work a few hours surrounded by cats. They rely in particular on purr therapy, the thickening effect of cats that promote well-being and concentration. In Bordeaux, you can find them at the cats’ counter.

Companies, themselves, are now turning the corner. Some now allow employees to come to work with their pets. The approach is already common in the United States since in 2022 will take place the 24th edition of the “Take your dog to work day”. In businesses, animals operate as service animals and have the power to significantly reduce stress. According to a Nation Wide survey, 52% of employees working at a pet-friendly company report a positive working relationship with their manager. 53% also mention a positive relationship with their colleagues. Animals at work are therefore a source of well-being. They thus create a competitive advantage for the employer brand, and are vectors of performance.

Still a minority in France, the approach could well have a future despite everything. For good reason, according to a 2019 The Workforce View in Europe survey, the country ranks third among European countries where employees feel stressed on a daily basis. Just behind Germany (20%) and Poland (25%).

Sources

“Ceva Animal Health: the benefits of service animals on mental health in schools” Ceva Animal Health, press release of 28 October 2021

The animal presence in retirement homes: a way to improve the quality of life“, National School of Public Health of Rennes

The benefits of equine therapy, Hop’Toys

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