PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF CANISTERAPY IN RESTORING MENTAL HEALTH AFTER TRAUMATIC EVENTS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/3041-2005/2026-2.31Keywords:
trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, mental health, canine therapy, animal-assisted therapy, biopsychosocial model, psychological rehabilitation, war traumaAbstract
The article provides a theoretical and analytical justification of the psychotherapeutic potential of canine therapy in restoring the mental health of individuals who have experienced traumatic events of a military nature. The relevance of the study is due to the increasing prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depressive states among military personnel and the civilian population of Ukraine in wartime conditions. It is shown that traditional psychotherapeutic approaches do not always provide a sufficient level of emotional stabilization, especially in cases of difficult verbalization of traumatic experience, which makes the search for auxiliary rehabilitation methods relevant. The interdisciplinary nature of restoring mental health is revealed, which involves a combination of psychotherapeutic, medical and social interventions. It is substantiated that canine therapy as a type of animalassisted therapy is integrated into comprehensive rehabilitation programs and meets modern international standards for the organization of MHPSS services. Scientific concepts that explain the mechanisms of the influence of canine therapy are analyzed. The neurobiological effects of human-therapy dog interaction are emphasized, manifested in a decrease in cortisol levels, an increase in oxytocin, and stabilization of the emotional state. The generalization of the results of empirical studies indicates a decrease in PTSD symptoms, anxiety, social isolation, and improved social functioning in individuals who underwent programs using therapy dogs. It was determined that in the Ukrainian context, canitherapy has significant potential, but requires systematization, standardization, and further evidentiary validation. The conclusion is made about the feasibility of integrating canitherapy into multidisciplinary psychosocial support programs as an auxiliary method that enhances the overall therapeutic effect and contributes to the restoration of mental health after traumatic events
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