Pooches for mental health

Samaritan Counseling Center of Southeast Texas, in honor of May being Mental Health Awareness Month, is showcasing a new tool designed to enhance the emotional wellbeing of patients and families in the hospital – Animal Assisted Play Therapy. The animal-assisted therapy dogs provide support to those who may be having trouble coping with a hospital stay, new diagnosis or certain medical procedure.

Animal Assisted Play Therapy is a type of therapy that strategically incorporates the child-animal interaction into the play therapy process, Samaritan explains of the program. Goal-directed interventions are utilized in the treatment process to coincide with treatment plan goals.

Potential benefits of Animal Assisted Play Therapy include increased self-regulation, reduced anxiety and/or depression, increased self-confidence, grief/loss assistance, and impulse control development. Visit sccset.org, their 7980 Anchor Dr. Bldg. 500 in Port Arthur address, or call (409) 727-6400 for more information on the center or to donate to their programs.