For many people in addiction recovery, healing involves more than clinical care—it requires emotional connection, trust, and support. Animal assisted therapy offers exactly that. Whether through therapy dogs, emotional support animals, or equine therapy, the presence of animals can be profoundly calming and therapeutic.
In Mississippi, animal assisted therapy is being embraced as a powerful part of trauma-informed, holistic addiction treatment. At Mississippi Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center in Biloxi, we recognize how animals can help clients manage stress, reconnect emotionally, and develop healthier coping skills.
What Is Animal Assisted Therapy?
Animal assisted therapy (AAT) refers to the intentional use of trained animals in a therapeutic setting to support mental and emotional healing. This approach is often used to complement traditional addiction treatment methods, such as counseling, group therapy, and medical care.
Types of animal assisted therapy include:
- Therapy dogs – trained to provide comfort and companionship during therapy sessions
- Equine therapy – interactions with horses that promote emotional awareness, confidence, and non-verbal communication
- Emotional support animals – animals that provide consistent emotional grounding for individuals managing anxiety or trauma
Unlike service animals, which are trained to perform specific tasks for people with disabilities, therapy animals work alongside mental health professionals to promote emotional well-being.
How Animal Assisted Therapy Supports Addiction Recovery
Animal assisted therapy offers a range of benefits for individuals recovering from substance use disorders, particularly those with underlying trauma, anxiety, or depression.
1. Emotional Regulation and Stress Relief
The simple act of petting a dog or being near an animal can lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels and promote relaxation. For individuals in early recovery, this sense of calm is critical when dealing with cravings or emotional triggers.
2. Building Trust and Connection
Many people in addiction recovery have experienced broken relationships or feel disconnected from others. Animals offer unconditional acceptance, helping clients feel safe and supported as they begin to rebuild trust.
3. Supporting Trauma Recovery
For clients with a history of trauma, animal assisted therapy can offer a non-threatening way to re-engage emotionally. Animals help create a safe, calming space where individuals can begin to explore their emotions without fear of judgment. Learn more about our trauma-informed care approach and how it integrates with therapies like AAT.
4. Enhancing Mindfulness and Presence
Spending time with animals encourages mindfulness—being fully present in the moment. This can help individuals reduce anxiety, become more aware of their thoughts, and develop healthier coping strategies.
5. Improving Motivation and Engagement
Animal assisted therapy often boosts client participation and motivation. Therapy sessions involving animals can feel more approachable and enjoyable, helping individuals stay engaged in their recovery journey.
Animal Assisted Therapy in Biloxi and the Mississippi Gulf Coast
In Mississippi, the therapeutic use of animals is growing, especially as part of holistic addiction treatment. At MSDATC in Biloxi, we offer animal assisted therapy as part of an integrative, client-centered approach to recovery.
Our therapy teams work with local providers and trained therapy animals to offer sessions that meet the emotional and psychological needs of our clients. Whether through structured equine therapy or informal interactions with therapy dogs, these experiences often lead to meaningful breakthroughs in healing.
To see how AAT fits into a broader healing model, visit our article on holistic recovery programs.
Who Benefits from Animal Assisted Therapy?
Animal assisted therapy can support recovery for people of all ages and backgrounds, but it may be especially helpful for:
- Individuals with co-occurring anxiety or depression
- Clients with a history of trauma or emotional neglect
- Those who feel disconnected or isolated
- Clients in early recovery who need support with stress regulation
- Individuals resistant to traditional therapy formats
Animal assisted therapy is not a replacement for evidence-based treatment but a valuable complement that enhances emotional healing and recovery outcomes.
Healing Through Connection
Addiction can leave people feeling isolated, ashamed, and emotionally raw. The presence of an animal—calm, accepting, and nonjudgmental—can offer the first steps toward reconnection and self-compassion. In many cases, this bond becomes a cornerstone of long-term recovery.
Animal assisted therapy reminds us that healing often begins with small moments of comfort and trust—something animals are uniquely able to provide.
Start Your Recovery with Supportive Care
Mississippi Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center in Biloxi offers animal assisted therapy as part of a holistic, trauma-informed recovery plan. To learn how animals can support your journey toward healing, reach out to us today. Compassionate care is just a call away.
Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy for Addiction Recovery in Mississippi