Pet therapy, or animal-assisted therapy, is a relatively new form of therapy that involves using dogs as the treatment. This method is being used in hospitals, nursing homes, retirement homes, and in schools and college campuses. The idea behind pet therapy is that simply petting a puppy could relieve stress or help an ill patient cope with a disease or mental illness. The interaction between humans and a friendly animal can be beneficial in aiding physical or psychological issues. Dogs can provide a sense of comfort and affection to the patients in need. Danielle Tuzzio shows the reader pet therapy in her photographic essay. Tuzzio uses lighting and color, intensity, and close up shots to reveal the emotion behind the photographs.

College campuses are commonly known for their use of pet therapy by bringing in dogs and allowing students to interact with them. The dogs that are being brought in are certified and approved service dogs. During midterms and finals week at many colleges, “Pet a Puppy” is available for stressed out students to go and relax. It is also offered to the staff at the campuses that often may need to de-stress as well. This can help to eliminate some stress and anxiety that a student may be facing during tough times in school. Specific endorphins can be released that result in a calming effect from interacting with the dogs that helps relieve the anxiety and help improve the psychological state of being. This can include improving the emotional and social functions of the student. 

Pet therapy in a college campus is portrayed in image three. The dog in the photograph is the focus, but you can see that students surround it. There are a plethora of hands reaching out to pet the dog, which is powerful because it shows how eager the students are to pet it. The lighting is bright which represents a cheerful atmosphere. It seems that there is a carefree and calm environment where stress could be eliminated. The bright colors used in the image balance out with the neutral colors of the dog, which depict the feeling of happiness the students are most likely feeling.

Animal assisted therapy is used in a variety of settings, but can most commonly be found working with patients in hospitals. Pets could be brought into the hospital to help a patient with disabilities to be able to communicate more easily, or even help motivate a patient in recovery if they are in rehabilitation. Patients who are stuck in a hospital for long periods of time may feel lonely, and the interaction with a service pet can help relieve that feeling for them.

Image one shows an elderly woman in a hospital setting who is experiencing animal assisted therapy. Close up is used in this photograph. The close proximity allows a more intense feeling for the reader and makes it more capable to see the emotion behind the image. From the picture, it is evident that the woman is happy and eager to be interacting with the dog. Being that the picture is taken so up close, the reader can see the level of comfort and see the adoration in the woman’s eyes. The connection between her and the dog allows a more affective treatment. Another aspect of the image is that it is very colorful and bright. The picture is illuminated with the bright lighting and colors, which is associated with the joyousness. Being with the dogs could temporarily relieve even the slightest bit of depression or negative feelings from the patient.

Animal assisted therapy is also beneficial in pediatrics areas. Children in hospitals can form a connection with the animal and the therapist can gain information from observing the interaction between the patient and the animal. Depending on the condition of the child, the effectiveness of pet therapy can vary. Allowing contact with an animal can help improve communication skills with others in a young child and also help decrease depression. Being in a hospital can cause a feeling of despair and pet therapy can bring happiness by making the patient feel less alone. In pediatrics, it could also help a child create nurturing skills. 

In image two, there is a young boy in a hospital being treated with pet therapy. The author uses close up to make the image more personal and the emotion behind the child is easily portrayed. The child is not hesitant to be reaching out and petting the dog. The expression on the little boy’s face is pure happiness and it is evident how excited he is to be playing with the puppy. The dog looks very excited as well, which shows how pet therapy can have a positive effect on both the patients and the animals involved. The intensity is heightened because the picture is a close up. Although it is seen that he is in a hospital setting, the photograph is still brightly lit and does not seem to be dark and gloomy. The brightness of the photograph creates a happy mood, in comparison to the depressing darkness that is usually associated with hospitals.

With the use of close up, intensity, and bright lighting and colors of the photographs Tuzzio is able to show the emotion behind the people portrayed. The effectiveness and response of patients to pet therapy.
