Furry friends in recovery

Are you struggling at the moment?
Contact us here or for urgent support contact lifeline on 13 11 14

Sending Hope Issue #48

How our furry friends can support recovery
Find out how animals can be involved in your recovery journey, even if you don't have one!

Although there have been studies that outline the efficacy of pets and your mental health, we're sure we don’t have to tell you what a wonderful companion and resource having a furry or feathered friend can be!

There are several ways in which animals can be involved in your healing journey, even if you don’t have one at home.

Connecting with animals in a therapeutic way

You may already have a loving connection to an animal in your life. Whether it is your own pet, or that of a family member or friend. Here are a few ways in which you might find the connection helpful to your mental health and healing.

Notice the sensory experience: Whether it is soft fur, a warm paw or tickling whiskers, take some time to explore what sensations your furry friend provides you that you find comforting. Tune in mindfully and perhaps close your eyes. Feel the gentle rise and fall of their breath.
Pat & breathe: Take a nice long pat over your furry friend as you inhale, and another long pat as you exhale. This can help lengthen your breathing, slow your heart rate and gives you the soothing tactile connection of fur (or feathers!) on your palm. Most likely your pet will be thrilled with this too!
Snuggle up: Spending quality time with your furry friend is a lovely way to relieve distress, anxiety, sadness and isolation. Animals are non-judgmental and will always have an ear open to listening... even if their eyes might be closed at the same time!
Work your pet into your wellness plan: Identify how your pet helps you, when you like to have your pet around and incorporate this connection into your day-to-day coping skills.
Notice the joy: Animals can be so joyful and fun to be around. Notice when these feelings are evoked within you and create space for them. Allow yourself to laugh at their silliness or join in with their excitement.
Distraction: Sometimes we are in need of distraction! Whether it is from a thought, feeling, event or person! Spending time with an animal can be a lovely way to give yourself a rest from the chaos of everything else that is occurring. Head outside to play some fetch, or grab a feather wand to entertain your cat... if they are in the mood of course!

Looking for ways to connect with animals if you don’t have one at home?

Visit Edgars Mission! Edgar's Mission Farm Sanctuary (edgarsmission.org.au)
Volunteer at your local animal shelter
Take a book to read at your local dog park and enjoy the joyfulness!
Offer to walk the dog of a friend, family member or neighbour
Get into pet sitting Dog Sitting and Pet Sitting with Trusted Local Sitters | Pawshake.com.au

Personal therapy animal

More and more people are seeing the incredible benefits of having a therapy animal and are working through the process to have their pet trained and certified. There are various programs you can work through with your fur friend, some of which will help you and your pet connect in a therapeutic way and others which will allow your pet the same rights as other service dogs.

Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT)

Animal assisted therapy is a formal therapy space where a clinician and trained therapy animal support you to explore emotional challenges, face fears and self soothe, amongst other things! AAT is a beautiful adjunct to the ED specific therapies you may be receiving or engaging in. If you are interested in this, explore some of these places!

Please note that these practitioners may not have eating disorder specific experience and may have waitlists.

Core Kids Therapy - Animal Assisted Play Therapy
CoRe Kids Therapy | Melbourne | 0401 517 014

Art of Life Counselling - Animal Assisted Psychotherapy
Altona,Therapy Dog,Counselling,Art Therapy,Adult, Trauma Informed (artoflifewithmairead.com)

Mullum Road - Animal Assisted Therapy
Animal Assisted Therapy | Mullum Road Psychology Clinic & Equine Therapy Specialists

Kids Compass: Paediatric Therapy Centre - Animal Assisted Therapy
Kids Compass Paediatric Therapy Centre, Chirnside Park

Heart of the Horse - Equine Assisted Healing
EXPERIENCES | Melbourne Region | Heart of the Horse

Roaming Ranch - Equine Assisted Therapy - Therapy Farm
Roaming Ranch (webs.com)

Heart To Heart - Equine Assisted Therapy
About Equine-Assisted Therapy – Heart to Heart Equine Assisted Therapy (h2hequinetherapy.com.au)

Happy Hooves - Donkey Assisted Learning
Happy Hooves Experience

Insight Therapies - Animal Assisted Therapy
Animal Assisted Therapy : Insight Therapies (insighttherapiesvic.com.au)

Gippsland Equine - Equine Assisted Psychotherapy
COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY – Gippsland Equine

Flash Farm - Animal Assisted Therapy
Animal Assisted Therapy — FLASH FARM

Equine Psychotherapy Institute - Equine Assisted Psychotherapy
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy Sessions - Equine Psychotherapy Institute

Lead The Way - Animal Assisted Therapy
Home – Lead The Way

Holistic Equitation - Equine Therapy
Equine Therapy - Holistic Equitation - Healing with Horses for All Ages

Grey Horse Growth & Learning - Equine Assisted Therapy
About us - grey horse growth and learning (weebly.com)

Let us know how your furry friend supports you in your recovery! Be sure to follow us on Instagram - we'll be making it easy to share photos of your animals in Stories!

Remember, if you need to talk to someone, EDV have a range of helpful services available. For general information and support, please give our Hub a call during business hours on 1300 550 236, fill out an online form, or email hub@eatingdisorders.org.au

A reminder that this newsletter is not a substitute for medical or mental health advice, and we encourage you to speak to your treatment team about your individual circumstances.

For urgent support please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14

Eating Disorders Victoria acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which our office is based, the Boon Wurrung and Woiwurrung (Wurundjeri) peoples of the Kulin nation. As an organisation, we pay our respects to the elders, people, and ancestors of this country. EDV recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this land for over 65,000 years.

Always was, always will be.

Eating Disorders Victoria respect and welcome diversity of culture, religion, gender and sexuality.