Source: Anna Romanova/Shutterstock
Co-authored by Rebecca N. Cherry, MD, and Ran D. Amber, MD
A teacher once told a group of us about how he had ordered a beautiful hypnosis certificate for his cat. I would like to add that Mr. Whiskers was not a therapy animal. This anecdote was intended as a comment on the value of mail order credentials.
But now, looking at this story from a different perspective, I’ve come to the conclusion that Mr. Whiskers (or was it Dr. Whiskers?) may have really been on to something.
It feels good to pet a dog or cat. In addition to these subjective responses, researchers have found that petting a pet has beneficial physiological effects. Heart rate variability increases, indicating stimulation of the parasympathetic “rest and digest” response, which is central to hypnotic states. Cortisol levels decrease (Petersson et al., 2017).
I didn’t really understand it myself until a few months into the COVID-19 pandemic, when our locked-down, anxious family introduced a rescue dog to our home. Frankly, Zara is not the perfect dog. She’s afraid to try to train, she sheds, and I’ve seen her scavenging for breadcrumbs on the dining table (though I didn’t tell my husband).
And yet. Within just a few days, I was at risk of becoming one of those people who lost their minds and made dogs the main topic of conversation. I couldn’t imagine anything more fun than sitting on the couch next to her, smelling that unique dog smell, and petting her ears.
I started asking more actively about the animals in my patients’ lives. During telemedicine appointments, I became more sensitive to the flicker of a tail in the corner of my computer screen or the sound of barking in the background.
pets and hypnosis
For many children, pets are a great source of comfort, and like me, they identify playing with and snuggling with their pets as their “favorite place.” Thoughts and memories about pets can be a reliable source of information when children are immersed in a hypnotic experience, especially considering the variety of sensory inputs (auditory, visual, olfactory, and tactile) associated with this activity.
You can access the softness and scent of your pet’s fur, the warmth of its tiny body, the sounds and vibrations of its purrs, and changes in its contented expression and posture.
Even after inducing a trance state, the pet remains as a hypnotic aid. Examples involving pets can clarify children’s understanding of their own strengths.
For example, by realizing that we helped a purring cat find contentment and comfort, we may understand a cat’s natural ability to comfort itself. The warmth of your own hands triggers hypnosis, reminding you of this ability and at the same time evoking pleasant memories.
Even an imaginary pet can be a source of strength and calm. One boy came to his second appointment with a cardboard enclosure he had made for his new (imaginary) pet snake. Thanks to it, for the first time he felt safe enough to sleep in his own room all night.
Whether real or imagined, when accompanying a patient during a telemedicine session or being called back from the office couch, pets help patients reach a hypnotic state and more fully realize their abilities. Helpful.
Dr. Whiskers is now a valued colleague.
Dr. Rebecca N. Cherry is a pediatric gastroenterologist/clinical hypnotherapist at Deep Well Health Care.
To find a therapist, visit Psychology Today’s therapy directory.
