Pets can provide a variety of benefits for NDIS participants including emotional support, a sense of responsibility and purpose, and physical activity and recreation. They can also complement psychiatric treatment for PTSD by providing a calming and trusting environment.

The NDIA will consider whether an assistance animal is a reasonable and necessary disability support for you before funding it.

The physical contact that comes with cuddling pets can help to reduce anxiety and stress levels. Pets have been shown to increase oxytocin, or ‘the love hormone’ and to reduce cortisol, the stress hormone. This can help to relax the mind, lowering symptoms of depression and boosting overall mental well-being.

For NDIS participants with PTSD, this calming effect can help to regulate their emotional state and promote feelings of wellness and relaxation. In addition to this, the sense of responsibility and purpose that comes with caring for pets can also contribute to a positive self-perception and increase self-esteem.

Abby has extensive experience working in the NDIS and sourced an ndis farm therapy to begin offering animal-assisted therapy to private clients and NDIS participants. She regularly attends professional development courses and supervision to ensure she is at the forefront of her field. Abby focuses on developing therapeutic relationships with her clients and seeks out new and exciting approaches to her practice.

Psychiatric Treatment Support

Pets offer unconditional love and emotional support, which is a crucial aspect of healing for individuals with PTSD. They provide a sense of companionship and nonjudgmental understanding, alleviating feelings of isolation and fear often experienced by people with PTSD.

In addition, pets can complement psychiatric treatment by helping to reduce anxiety and stress, promote physical activity, and encourage social interaction. Moreover, caring for pets can give participants a sense of purpose and responsibility. This can help them build confidence and self-esteem, which may assist with their recovery from PTSD.

Fortunately, there are a number of organisations offering animal therapy for ndis animal cuddle club participants across Australia. These services range from one-on-one interaction with pets to equine apsitivity therapy. For example, the Hobart Counselling Centre offers a range of animal-assisted therapies, and Equiliberty provides equine-assisted psychotherapy in conjunction with qualified psychologists. These programs are usually fully NDIS funded.

Sense of Community and Purpose

The routine of feeding, grooming, and exercising a pet creates a sense of responsibility and purpose in an individual’s life. This helps to build self-esteem and a positive outlook, and it encourages social interaction. Incorporating pets into a person’s daily lifestyle can also help to reduce anxiety and stress, promote physical activity, and assist with psychiatric treatment.

Several groups for people with disabilities have pet programs that focus on caring for animals, like Muttville’s Cuddle Club, where senior dog lovers meet in an accessible room to cuddle and play with dogs. The program has helped alleviate loneliness for participants who can’t afford to own or take care of a pet, or live in apartments where pets aren’t allowed.

While a pet can provide many therapeutic benefits, it’s important to remember that pets are not eligible for disability support funding under the NDIS. The NDIS only considers assistance animals – most commonly dog guides – as reasonable and necessary disability supports.

Physical Activity and Recreation

Incorporating pets into a daily routine promotes physical activity and recreation for NDIS participants. This is especially important for those with a mental illness, who often struggle to stay active and engaged in recreational activities. Adding animals to a therapeutic program can help to alleviate boredom, depression and anxiety. Abby, an experienced NDIS worker, has sourced a farm in Brisbane that offers ongoing activities at a cost that can be easily organised through an NDIS coordinator or directly by email. The farm is home to horses, pigs, rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, sheep and goats.