A growing trend in the addiction business over the last few years has been the emergence of pet friendly rehabs catering to addicts and alcoholics who have an emotional support animal or service dog as a companion.
The behavioral health community feels strongly, along with clinical professionals, that animal therapy can provide huge benefits to the addict or alcoholic while participating in treatment centers that allow pets. This is truly not a well-kept secret as it is common knowledge that animals can produce a very calming feeling in times of stress, depression, anxiety or fear. There are specific rehab facilities that allow pets this includes emotional support animals, therapy animals or service animals as part of their client’s treatment program. The flip side of this is that many facilities are not pet friendly because of either a liability issue, staff not trained in this particular department or simply new carpets or new furniture and just don’t want to deal with pets damaging the facility or possibly making too much noise. To learn more about a dog friendly drug rehab search for pet friendly rehab facilities that offer this type of specialized care.
Comfort, trust and the unconditional love the patient receives from his or her pet can be monumental in helping them through a difficult detox period. No matter what happens during treatment or a painful detox, the pet is there always with no critical comments, no judging, just loves to see his master the second he comes into the room. Keeping in mind that selfishness and self-centeredness are the root of most addicts problems (taken out of the big book of alcoholics anonymous), the pet friendly rehab allows the client to stop thinking only about themselves and focus on their animal that needs attention and care also. It simply gets the addict or alcoholic out of themselves and puts their attention and thoughts into their dog or cat. Doctors, clinical directors, counselors and many other professionals acknowledge that in many cases these pets can teach a form of selflessness and give the addict something to live for that gives them peace of mind. In addition, it is clear to pet friendly treatment facility employees that the level of stress and discomfort and be reduced greatly. This is mostly in part to some form or another of accountability to their animal that relies on them for food, water, grooming or even a walk. A lot of the time the pet can make interaction with other patients easier as a way of getting to know the other clients or just simply fitting into the group. Just like the person that is shy and brings a little puppy to the park or the beach, they gets instant attention from others, giving the person something to talk about, a great ice breaker.
The treatment facility owners of pet friendly rehabs time take a vested interest in their client’s pets, as in many cases the owners of these treatment centers are animal lovers too. As one owner stated, “whatever it takes to get the willing patient to change their life for the better, I’m all for it”. In addition, this particular owner stated that the facilities he owns that are pet friendly have a much lower “AMA” rate (leaving the facility against medical advice) than his other facilities. This is a smaller market of clients; however, it is a profitable market for the pet friendly rehabs as the clients stay and stay longer. Something also that was pointed out is that these pets make for a happy house, and that is just dog gone good for everyone concerned. For more information about rehabs that allow pets please contact 888-325-2454 to find a pet friendly drug rehab near you.
Contact Information:
Name: Kevin Leonard
Organization: The Recover
Address: 402 West Broadway, #400, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 877-957-2244