At Circle of Hope, we understand that your pet is a part of your family. That’s why we allow our patients to bring their furry friends with them during their stay. We have quite a few dog ‘moms’ and dog ‘dads’ at our residential treatment center, so we know how important it is for you to have your pet with you during rehab. Having your pet by your side can help reduce stress levels and promote a faster and more successful recovery.
Did You Know Circle Of Hope Is A Pet-Friendly Rehab Facility?
One of the main things holding people back from going to drug or alcohol treatment is their pets. Who will take care of them while you take care of yourself?
Well, get this. At Circle of Hope, you can bring your furry friend with you. We have quite a few dog ‘moms’ and dog ‘dads’ at our residential treatment center so we understand the profound and lasting impact that having your pet with you during rehab can have on your recovery. Just being near a pet or animal can have substantial beneficial effects on your mental health and well-being.
The Evidence For Animals In Addiction Treatment
Check out the statistics and our brief video below for just a sampling of the reasons that pets can be beneficial for clients seeking assistance at our treatment center. With the growing popularity and acceptance of therapy animals across the United States the evidence-based support for animals as a part of addiction treatment has been bolstered in recent years.
At Circle of Hope, our fully accredited and licensed treatment center has known these benefits for years and is glad they are being verified by the scientific community as well. Many of our clinicians are proud pet owners themselves and know the difference an animal can make in lightening the atmosphere (and effectiveness) of rehab centers.
What Are The Best Animals in Addiction Treatment?
While any pet can have a positive influence, some animals are particularly well-suited to the task. Dogs have long been considered “man’s best friend” for good reason. They offer companionship, love, and security while being relatively easy to take care of.
Cats also make excellent therapy animals due to their independent natures and calming effects. Smaller pets like rabbits or guinea pigs can be held and cuddled as needed but don’t require as much attention as larger animals.
The staff at Circle of Hope will work with you to determine which pet is best for your individual situation and needs.
Your Pet Is Welcome Here!
We understand that your pet is a part of your family and we want you to feel comfortable and at home during your stay with us. If you have any questions or concerns about bringing your pet to our pet-friendly rehab facility, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help you through every step of your recovery journey!
A Pet-Friendly Rehab Center Can Have Profound Effects On Your Emotional State
Addiction is an isolating disease and one of the most difficult things about recovery is the struggle to rebuild relationships or to start fresh ones. Having a pet with you during treatment provides you with much-needed judgment-free unconditional love. Everyone needs a snuggle after a hard day and you’ve got some hard days ahead of you.
When you first arrive at any rehab center, you might feel a bit uncomfortable. It’s a new place with new people. You’re going through a lot physically, mentally, and emotionally. Having your pet with you can give you a sense of comfort in an otherwise uncomfortable situation.
How Can a Pet Help With Emotional State?
Pets provide us with a sense of normalcy and can help reduce stress levels. They can promote faster and more successful recovery by giving you something to focus on other than your addiction. When you’re paying attention to your pet, you’re not thinking about drugs or alcohol.
Caring for another living creature also gives you a sense of purpose. This is especially important early on in treatment when motivation is low and energy levels are depleted. It can be difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel but knowing that your pet needs you can give you the strength to keep going even on your darkest days.
Bringing A Bit(E) Of Home: Advantage Of Pet-Friendly Treatment
Being in a new place while in such a vulnerable state is enough to make anyone homesick. When something is new to you it can take a while to feel right. Even though going home sounds like a good idea, leaving mid-treatment is counterproductive. Having your furry friend by your side allows you to have that little piece of home to set your mind and soul at ease.
For those traveling from other states, this positive impact can be even more profound in your treatment center experience. Being truly ‘pet-friendly’ means more than simply adding a water bowl or a comfy dog bed to the rehab center. At Circle of Hope, our pet-friendly rehab embodies its beliefs with touches designed to make both you and your companion feel at home.
For those with any concerns about the comfort and circumstances you will enjoy (along with your pet) at our luxury rehab, please reach out to our Admissions team and let them put your mind at ease.
How Is The Process Like To Fly With Pets?
The first step is to get in touch with the airline you will be flying with to make sure that they accommodate pet travel. Once you have done that, the next step is to call our admissions team and let us know that you will be bringing a pet with you. We will make all of the necessary arrangements for your furry friend’s travel and accommodations.
We understand that this can be a stressful time for both you and your pet so we appreciate any efforts made to contact us in advance so that we can help make the transition as smooth as possible!
There Are Countless Physical Benefits Of Animal Assisted Therapy
We all know that dog is man’s best friend but did you know that they can also be beneficial to your physical health? Animal-assisted therapy has been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, and improve overall mood.
A pet can also provide much-needed exercise which is an important part of any treatment plan. Walking or playing with a pet can help increase endorphins (the feel-good hormone) and reduce stress hormones like cortisol.
Not only does spending time with a pet have physical benefits but the simple act of stroking a soft furry coat can have a calming effect. The rhythmic motion can help to ease tension headaches and muscle pain.
Pets Can Help You Connect With Others
One of the most important parts of treatment is developing positive relationships with others. When you’re in recovery, it can be difficult to open up and trust people. Pets can help break the ice and provide a common ground for conversation.
You may find that you have more in common with someone than you first thought simply because you both love animals! Talking about your pets can also be a great way to bond with other pet parents in treatment.
Whether you’re coming to our California rehab with your dog, cat, or even reptile, we welcome you with open arms (and tails)! Contact our admissions team today to learn more about how we can make your stay comfortable for both you and your pet!
Pets Are The Ultimate Conversation Starter
Have you ever been stumped for what to say? Do you get all clammed up when someone asks you to tell them “a little bit about you?” When you have a go-to topic picked out ahead of time it takes the social pressure off. Use your pet as a talking point.
Talking about your love of animals is a great way to jumpstart any conversation. Even if your new friends are not animal people (and yes, there are people like this out there) it’s an opportunity to ignite a healthy and friendly debate.
You Can Be Nurturing
Before you get to rehab, the only person you’ve been taking care of is you. And even that is debatable. You will learn so much during your first few weeks in rehab and one of the biggest things is that you can be a nurturing person.
Having a pet around will prove that not only can you take care of yourself but you can keep another being alive and happy as well. This is a huge learning opportunity and a chance to prove that you can take care of someone other than yourself.
From mental health improvements to enhanced opportunities for dialogue with other clients, the reasons for pet-friendly rehab centers are so clear and wide-ranging that we often wonder why other treatment facilities have not opened their doors to furry guests in the same way Circle of Hope has!
No More Excuses Not To Go To Rehab
One of the biggest reasons that people don’t go to rehab (believe us – we’ve seen just about every excuse in the book) is that they have existing responsibilities that are preventing them from cutting drugs and alcohol out of their lives.
For most people, this means a job or children. But for some, it means their pet. When you choose a pet-friendly treatment center this is one less thing you will have to make alternate arrangements for – one less excuse.
We understand that your pet is a big part of your life and we want to make sure that they are taken care of while you’re taking care of yourself. Contact us today to learn more about our admissions process and what you can expect when you arrive at our facility!
If you have any lingering doubts about the fit for you and your beloved companion, please reach out to our Admissions team today to discuss the exact space and accommodations for you both in our luxury facility. We look forward to hearing from you and hope to have a new wagging tail say hello soon!
