They are friends who do not speak, but they do talk. And for select patients at the Douglas Mental Health Institute, their animal friends are exactly what they need. No judgement, just friendship.
Animal-assisted therapy has existed in Quebec for 30 years. Also known as zoo therapy, it was pioneered at the Douglas.
Darlene Ryder, who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, says the animals help her forget about her illness.
“They make me feel good, you know? They want love, and me too I want love.”
Each patient has different needs, but the animals help everyone in their own way.
Stanka Moutaftchisyska is bipolar, and says therapy and having Charlie, a dog, around have done her a world of good.
“I got more stable, more balance. I got more order in my life. I think it relieves stress. I think they give me back affection which not many people do. People can hurt you, but not animals,” she said.
The program recently added five birds to the mix, creating a new dynamic for patients.
Pico the parrot’s first words since his recent arrival to the program, a little “coo coo,” elicits laughs from his human friends.
Adding birds to the mix has brought a new dynamic -- the interaction between the pets often become teachable moments.
“Sometimes they are like ‘OK, what do I do? Take it, take it!’ And we use that moment to say ‘No ... you can do this, take it easy,’" said Frederique Hebert-Villeneuve, animal-assisted therapy supervisor.
Dealing with the animals – understanding them and their needs, how to act around them – is all part of helping patients grow.
“That makes them know that they can do something. … It makes them feel more confident,” Hebert-Villeneuve said.
