At Eagle Overlook Recovery for Adolescents, we have alpacas on-site that our teen clients engage with as a therapeutic tool and part of their recovery process. Since addiction leads to isolation and is often associated with low self-esteem, spending time with animals can be a helpful initial step toward learning how to reconnect with people.
The body of research surrounding animal assisted therapy continues to grow. Clients engage with the animals in a therapeutic context to gain self-acceptance, learn non-verbal communication, and develop a sense of connection with a living being outside of themselves.
