A Four-Legged Friend Can Be a Great Supplement to Medical Care
When you’ve fallen or been in a car accident, and you’ve suffered any type of bump or blow to the head, you should seek immediate medical treatment, whether at the nearest ER, an urgent care facility or your general practice care provider. Your doctor will have the tools, knowledge and resources to conduct the necessary assessment and can either prescribe a regimen of care or refer you to a specialist, if necessary. While your doctor may not specifically prescribe getting a pet, chances are good that such a decision will be heartily supported, depending on the severity of your condition. That’s because pets, particularly dogs, have been shown to offer many benefits to patients working to recover from a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
How Can a Pet Be of Benefit When You Are Healing from a Traumatic Brain Injury?
The right pet can help you with many of the challenges that can accompany a TBI. In the aftermath of a traumatic brain injury, social interaction can often be difficult, whether a result of difficulties with communication or problems with interpreting and processing the actions of others. The nuances of human interaction can be overwhelming, often causing you to withdraw. With the right pet, the interaction can be simple and reassuring. By building a relationship of trust with a dog, a TBI patient can develop the tools to reconnect with family and friends.
Of course, there are many other concrete benefits to interacting with a pet:
- Studies show that people who own dogs generally have lower blood pressure and may even have lower cholesterol
- A pet can be an easy way to gently exercise and rebuild physical strength after an injury
- Working with a dog can help you reestablish balance and fine motor skills
- Pets have long been known to alleviate stress, grief, anxiety and loneliness
- Taking care of a dog can help you improve self-care
- A good relationship with a dog involves trust and teamwork—it’s the same with humans
Contact Us to Set Up an Appointment
At Advantage Healthcare Systems, we have extensive experience working successfully with individuals who suffer any type of TBI or traumatic brain injury. Call us toll-free at 1-877-487-8289 or fill out the form provided below to schedule an assessment. We offer locations across Texas, including Fort Worth, Dallas and San Antonio.
