Combining Art and Pet Therapy: A Heuristic Study for Mental Well-Being

Alexis L. Nader
Department of Counseling, Pennsylvania Western University
COUN 7560: Advanced Research and Program Evaluation in Art Therapy
Dr. Penelope Orr
August 8, 2025

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Abstract

Art therapy and pet therapy are well-researched and established fields of study on their
own. However, the understanding of how they can work together is where the information
remains limited. This heuristic study aims to bridge the gap between these two fields. Pet therapy
involves interactions with trained animals to support emotional and psychological well-being.
Art therapy utilizes creative processes to help individuals express thoughts and feelings that may
be difficult to articulate. This research examines how a combined approach provides nonverbal
methods for processing emotions, fostering a sense of calm, and enhancing overall mental health.
The research examines the personal use of a pet, bilateral drawings, and art journaling to see if
there is an effect on anxiety and depression symptoms.

Keywords: art therapy, pet therapy, bilateral drawings, anxiety, depression

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Table of Contents
Section I: Introduction .........................................................................................................5
Problem to be Investigated ...............................................................................................5
Research Questions ..........................................................................................................5
Justification and Purpose ..................................................................................................6
Definition of Terms ..........................................................................................................6
Art Therapy...................................................................................................................6
Emotional Support Animals .........................................................................................6
Pet Therapy ...................................................................................................................7
Service Animals ............................................................................................................7
Therapy Dogs ...............................................................................................................7
Conclusion ...........................................................................................................................7
Section II: Literature Review ...............................................................................................9
Pet Therapy and Mental Health ........................................................................................9
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) ...........................................................................11
Loneliness and Depression .............................................................................................11
Erikson Early Adulthood ................................................................................................13
Art Therapy and Mental Health .....................................................................................14
Anxiety and Art Therapy................................................................................................15
Depression and Art Therapy ..........................................................................................15

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Pet Therapy and Art Therapy .........................................................................................16
Conclusion .........................................................................................................................16
Section III: Methodology ...................................................................................................17
Subjects/Participants ......................................................................................................17
Research Design/Methodology ......................................................................................17
Procedures ......................................................................................................................17
Proposed Data Analysis .................................................................................................18
Conclusion .........................................................................................................................18
Section IV: Data Collection and Findings .........................................................................19
Intervention #1 ...............................................................................................................19
Intervention #2 ...............................................................................................................22
Intervention #3 ...............................................................................................................25
Intervention #4 ...............................................................................................................28
Intervention #5 ...............................................................................................................31
Conclusion .........................................................................................................................34
Section V: Discussion and Conclusion ..............................................................................35
Summary of Research ....................................................................................................35
Limitations .....................................................................................................................38
Suggestions for Future Research ....................................................................................39
Conclusion .........................................................................................................................40

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References ..........................................................................................................................41

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Section I: Introduction
In December of 2018, I was gifted my best friend, Ralphie. I came home for winter break,
and standing in my parents’ home was a small French bulldog with a massive red bow on his
back. At that moment, I knew he was my best friend. Ralphie is now 6 years old and has helped
get me through many of life’s highs and lows. Without Ralphie, I don’t know where I would be
right now. Everyone deserves a friend like Ralphie, even some of society’s most vulnerable
people need a companion like him. In this project, I explore how the field of art therapy may
benefit from the use of animals with respect to the role Ralphie has played in facilitating my
personal happiness and well-being.
Problem to be Investigated
This paper explores how the combination of pet therapy and art therapy may be used to
reduce the impacts of anxiety and depression for people who experience high levels of both.
Currently, there is very limited, reliable, and valid research to support the combination of these
two therapeutic modalities. Research on the use of dogs in therapy to address anxiety and
depression and research on the use of art therapy to treat anxiety and depression has been done
and shows efficacy, but there is not much on the combination of the two.
Research Questions
As the researcher of this study, my hypothesis is if pet therapy and art therapy are
effective individually in reducing anxiety and depression, then combining them will result in an
equal or greater reduction in anxiety and depression symptoms in young adults. Some questions
worth exploring would be; How does art therapy and pet therapy affect anxiety symptoms, how
does art therapy and pet therapy affect depression symptoms and what are the benefits of
combining pet therapy and art therapy?

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Justification and Purpose
When I was deciding on topics for my research project, I knew right away that I wanted
to incorporate Ralphie. The combination of pet therapy, specifically dog therapy, and art therapy
to help ease my anxiety and depression symptoms was a great fit. Ralphie has genuinely been a
blessing to my life and overall well-being.
Combining pet therapy and art therapy has the potential to have short and long-term
positive impacts on an individual’s life. In this project, I will be exploring and connecting art
therapy with pet therapy through a heuristic study to better understand how these two modalities
may work together. As a result, this research will allow me to gain better insight to inform my
practice as an art therapist.
Definition of Terms
The following terms will be used throughout the study:
Art Therapy
Art therapy is a mental health profession that enriches the lives of individuals, families,
and communities through active art-making, creative process, applied psychological theory, and
human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship (Amercian Art Therapy Association,
2022).
Emotional Support Animals
According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), an
emotional support animal (ESA) is any animal that provides emotional support alleviating one or
more symptoms or effects of a person’s disability. Emotional support animals provide
companionship, relieve loneliness, and sometimes help with depression, anxiety, and certain

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phobias, but do not have special training to perform tasks that assist people with disabilities.
Emotional support animals are not limited to dogs (ADA National Network, 2025).
Pet Therapy
Pet therapy (PT) is defined as an interaction between an individual and a certified animal
for therapeutic purposes to help improve human physical and psychological functioning. PT
encourages participants to sit, touch, play, groom, and/or talk with the therapy animal (Ein et al.,
2018).
Service Animals
Under Title II and Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service
animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of
an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other
mental disability (ADA National Network, 2025).
Therapy Dogs
Therapy dogs are dogs that, with their human teammate (often the dog’s owner),
volunteer in clinical settings. These locations include hospitals, mental health institutions,
hospices, schools, and nursing homes. These dogs provide comfort, affection, and even love in
the course of their work. Therapy dogs are trained to be comfortable in new environments and to
interact with different people (American Kennel Club, 2024).
Conclusion
This research paper was written to help build bridges between art therapy and pet therapy
in order to help clients with severe anxiety and depression. This paper is intended to be a starting
point by creating discussions around the combination of these two modalities of therapy, testing

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out the combined use by myself and my dog in a heuristic study and developing some ideas
around best practices.

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Section II: Literature Review
I know everyone loves their dogs unconditionally, but I genuinely feel that Ralphie saved
my life. I have struggled immensely with anxiety and depression for many years. According to
Ward-Griffin and their research associates: “University students have been found to have higher
rates of psychological distress than the general population” (Ward-Griffin et al., 2018, p. 468).
As a university student myself, I have felt this effect firsthand. The pressure of my academic
performance has always placed a lot of weight on my shoulders. There have been many long
days and sleepless nights consisting of homework and tears. However, the one constant in my
life has been Ralphie.
Ralphie always greets me when I come home, this is without a doubt the best part of my
day. The excitement he shows when he sees me is pure bliss. It demonstrates to me just how
important I am to him and vice versa.
Pet Therapy and Mental Health
In their 2018 paper regarding the effects of pet therapy; Ein, Li, and Vickers assert that:
“pet therapy (PT) is defined as an interaction between an individual and a certified animal for
therapeutic purposes to help improve human physical and psychological functioning” (Ein et al.,
2018, p.477). While Ralphie is not a certified therapy animal, he still aids me in much the same
way a certified animal would help others. The ways that animals show us unconditional love are
a clear example of how they may help with our mental health.
When I am feeling anxious, I always know I can count on Ralphie to help center me.
Sometimes life becomes difficult, and it is clear that Ralphie can sense when this shift occurs. He
primarily does this through physical interaction, nudging me to draw my attention away from my
worries. Indeed, physical interaction is one area where pets and the use of pet therapy may be

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superior to other forms of anxiety processing. Ralphie is definitely not shy about cuddling or
receiving my hugs and I am certain that many other dogs are cut from the same cloth. Physical
interaction is a rarity among other forms of therapy, but in certain cases, it may be the most
effective option for healing. Assuming that the client can build trust with the therapy animal, Pet
Therapy (PT) can be among the most powerful tools at a counselor’s disposal (Ward-Griffin,
2018).
In a study conducted by Ward‐Griffin et al., (2018), they used 246 participants. The goal
of this study was to determine how therapy animals affected the participants' moods. All
participants were asked to take a survey before and after interacting with the therapy animal. The
overall purpose of the study was to observe how quickly a therapy dog could improve the
participants' mood. The researchers aimed to determine how dogs could help and in which
context, whether in social situations or during times of stress. It’s also worth noting that the study
included a higher number of female students. The overall results of this study were perceived as
positive (Ward-Griffin et al., 2018). As stated by Ward-Griffin et al. (2018), “Thus, it may be
especially useful for such sessions to take place during particularly stressful periods of the school
year, such as exam periods, or even for therapy dogs to be present during stressors, such as while
students complete assignments” (p. 472).
Ward-Griffin et al., (2018), recommended that “future studies should also investigate the
specific aspects of therapy dog sessions on university campuses that may lead to strong long‐
lasting effects, such as the optimal length of time for students to be engaged in the session, or the
optimal ratio of students to therapy dogs” (p. 472). When studying the effect of pet therapy for
participants who experienced stress and anxiety, found that “participants in the experimental
group experienced a greater reduction in negative affect and perceived stress, as well as an

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increase in perceived social support” (Ward-Griffin et al., 2018, p. 471). These results speak for
themselves.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
A 2019 report from the World Health Organization found that anxiety disorders were the
most common mental disorder and effect approximately 301 million people (World Health
Organization, 2023b). GAD affects 6.8 million adults, or 3.1% of the U.S. population annually
yet only 43.2% are receiving treatment” (Anxiety and Depression Association of America,
ADAA, 2022, para. 3). The essential features of GAD are excessive anxiety and worry
associated with a number of responsibilities or activities. People who experience GAD find it
difficult to control their thoughts and therefore struggle to prevent their condition from
interfering with day-to-day life (American Psychiatric Association, 2022).
Growing up, I was a very anxious child. Academic performance, my involvement with a
competitive dance team, the health of my family and friends, and even minor matters such as
being late for appointments and the weather all became overwhelming concerns that created high
levels of daily anxiety. Over the years, my level of anxiety has not lessened. Even as a 26-yearold woman, my GAD affects my everyday functioning, in much the same way as it affects
millions of other individuals worldwide. Thankfully, Ralphie has been able to at times alleviate
my anxiety level and help keep me grounded.
Loneliness and Depression
The subtle ways in which Ralphie comforts me are deeply personal and profound. I have
never done well with being alone, which is a bitterly ironic statement when one considers the
findings of “[a] survey of American college students [which] revealed that in the past year, 59%
felt very lonely, 65% felt very sad, and 37% felt so depressed that they found it difficult to

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function” (Ward-Griffin et al., 2018, p. 468). Having Ralphie always gives me someone to lean
on, especially in those times when I am feeling lonesome. He has been an excellent companion
throughout my college career. Although he cannot speak, I often have conversations with him
that provide a modicum of socialization, which for me personally, makes all the difference in the
world. When I am home, Ralphie is like my familiar: Always glued to my hip. His presence
provides me with a sense of reassurance that has become an essential part of my life.
According to the World Health Organization (2023a), “An estimated 3.8% of the
population experience depression. Approximately 280 million people in the world have
depression” (para. 4). Depression is the leading cause of disability in the United States among
people ages 15-44. The most diagnosed form of depression is Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
(Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 2025). I fall under this static. I was diagnosed
with MDD before I turned 10 years old. I have struggled with my own depression for years and it
is a major part of what inspired me to get into the helping profession as well as write about this
specific topic.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, (2022) “Major depressive disorder is
defined by the presence of at least one major depressive episode occurring in the absence of a
history of manic or hypomanic episodes. The essential feature of a major depressive episode is a
period lasting at least 2 weeks during which there is either a depressed mood or the loss of
interest or pleasure in all or nearly all activities for most of the day nearly every day” (p. 311).
For me, I have this internal battle. For example, I can sit there and tell myself, “I know you love
to do this go enjoy it” but my brain always kicks back and says, “yes but let’s not” even though I
know that doing fun activities can be beneficial for my mental health. Furthermore, “the
individual must also experience at least four additional symptoms during the same 2-week

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period, drawn from a list that includes changes in appetite or weight, sleep, and psychomotor
activity; decreased energy; feelings of worthlessness or guilt; difficulty thinking, concentrating,
or making decisions; or thoughts of death, suicidal ideation, a suicide attempt, or a specific plan
for suicidal behavior. To count toward a diagnosis of a major depressive episode, a symptom
must either be newly present or have clearly worsened compared with the individual’s preepisode status” (American Psychiatric Association, 2022, p. 311). These symptoms are all too
familiar to me. Fortunately, I have been able to manage these symptoms to the best of my ability.
This is not to say I have overcome them but every day I am working on myself. Ralphie has been
a key factor in helping me work on myself. Just his presence alone can have a positive impact on
my mood. Some of my struggles have worsened since the start of my academic journey. I was
gifted Ralphie at the start of my sophomore year in undergrad. Which felt like the perfect time.
My mental health rapidly declined as academic pressure increased, and I was living by myself.
This is when my depressive symptoms really worsened. Then Ralphie came to live with me, and
he made me not feel so lonely anymore. Back then and even at times now, I remember just as I
relied on Ralphie, he relied on me too. I needed to be there for him no matter what. Ralphie has
truly saved my life.
Erikson Early Adulthood
Erikson breaks down the stages of psychosocial development. In this breakdown he
separates categories by age into various stages. “Erik Erikson (1902–1994) proposed a lifespan
model of development, emphasizing how social relationships shape our sense of self. He
suggested we pass through eight stages, each marked by a central conflict, or psychosocial crisis,
that must be resolved for healthy personality growth” (McLeod, 2025, para.1). After reviewing
the 8 different sections I found that the early adulthood stage was the most applicable to my

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research due to this paper being a heuristic study. This stage is also known as intimacy vs
isolation and focuses on ages 18-40 (McLeod, 2025). McLeod (2025) notes some key factors of
this stage include forming romantic relationships, deep friendships, and emotional intimacy. The
virtue gained from this specific stage is love. The negative outcomes could be chronic isolation
which may lead to alienation and difficulty maintaining relationships.
In the intimacy vs. isolation stage, the intimacy piece involves those who properly assess
this stage to begin building meaningful relationships. They learn to set aside selfishness and
orchestrate healthy equal relationships. On the other side of this stage is isolation. This part of
the stage involves those who have trouble properly assessing close relationships. If this is the
case, they then begin to experience severe isolation. They live their life in fear of rejection. They
start to feel left out because all of their relationships lack deep meaning (McLeod, 2025).
Since this is a heuristic study, I identify with this stage, early adulthood, intimacy vs
isolation. Some of the relationships I have are with my family, boyfriend, and friends. My
relationships have been strained at times due to my anxiety and depression. I have found that
often my anxiety makes it hard to make new friends and stick to scheduled plans. At the same
time, my depression makes it difficult at times to reach out to people and keep those
relationships close. While I still have close relationships with others, one of my closest
relationships is with Ralphie. Ralphie is able to provide me with comfort and help regulate my
emotions with his mere presence.
Art Therapy and Mental Health
My initial interest in art started as a hobby but bloomed, becoming an integral part of
both my life and education. I began using art as a coping skill long before I knew art therapy
existed. I began by experimenting with all different kinds of materials, ranging from structured

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materials such as markers, colored pencils, and crayons to fluid materials such as acrylic paint
and watercolors. The use of these materials allowed me to express what words I could not say.
As stated by Chambala (2008): “Expressing oneself by creating form, color, and design is often
more beneficial than solely relying on words for self-expression and communication” (p. 187).
Anxiety and Art Therapy
Art therapy can be used to aid anxiety. "The non-verbal art therapy approach is
considered suitable for individuals with anxiety, especially if they have difficulty cognitively
(re)labeling their feelings, or if they are overly focused on cognitive labeling and use
rationalization as a psychological coping mechanism" (Abbing et al., 2019, p. 2). Through the
use of art materials clients can freely express themselves and share without having to verbally
state. For some clients, “talking about anxiety and trauma can evoke fear and trigger associated
physical reactions” (Abbing et al., 2019, p. 2). When a client creates artwork, they can have that
feeling of being “in control” which helps to counterbalance the overwhelming experience of
anxiety (Abbing et al., 2019). A specific art therapy approach is bilateral drawings. Bilateral
drawings are known to be beneficial for clients with anxiety and depression. A bilateral drawing
is when drawings are created using dominant and non-dominant hands in response to client
identified conflicting beliefs, cognitions, and feelings (Tripp, 2007). The process of creating
drawings (and especially scribbles) activates the limbic system, thereby facilitating the
expression of emotion (Tripp, 2007).
Depression and Art Therapy
In addition to anxiety, art therapy can aid depression. According to Whitenburg (2020),
“art therapy may provide a basis for a person with depression to express his/her depression safely
and effectively without moving to different and more harmful means of expression” (p. 147). Art

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therapy keeps an individual mentally and physically occupied. “Art therapy is also considered a
method by which depressed individuals can release aggression without having to engage in any
verbal communication” (Whitenburg, 2020, p. 147). Once again, bilateral drawings can help aid
individuals with depression. Bilateral drawings and images of these will be further discussed in
the paper.
Pet Therapy and Art Therapy
Aside from my belief in the importance of pet therapy, fueled by my friendship with
Ralphie, my passion lies in the profession of art therapy. I will explore the overlap between art
therapy and pet therapy for managing my anxiety and depression. My goal is to more
intentionally work with Ralphie using a combination of art therapy and his presence to reduce
my own anxiety and depression.
Conclusion
The literature review demonstrates that both pet therapy and art therapy hold significant
potential for improving mental health outcomes, particularly for individuals struggling with
anxiety and depression. Research supports what I have experienced firsthand: the unconditional
companionship of an animal, such as my dog Ralphie, can provide comfort, emotional
regulation, and a sense of stability during life’s most challenging moments. Similarly, art therapy
offers a powerful means of expression when words are insufficient, enabling individuals to
process complex emotions. As the research suggests, and as my own experience confirms,
integrating pet therapy and art therapy may offer a uniquely effective approach to managing
anxiety and depression in young adults.

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Section III: Methodology
In this section the study and how it was carried out will be discussed. The study was
broken up into 5 different art sessions. The information gathered helps better understand the
benefits of art therapy and pet therapy. The methodology focused on anxiety and depression and
how each session affected it.
Subjects/Participants
For this study, I was the subject of the research. The values of data came from me. The
blood pressure readings and the pulse were a direct result of my own readings. The anxiety and
depression readings were also a result of what my mood was like at that very moment.
Research Design/Methodology
The type of design used for this study was a heuristic study. “Heuristics is a way of
engaging in scientific search through methods and processes aimed at discovery; a way of selfinquiry and dialogue with others aimed at finding the underlying meanings of important human
experiences” (Moustakas, 1990, para. 1). A heuristic study is a way to study a lived experience.
As previously mentioned, I was the subject of the research study. I used my own ratings, blood
pressure and pulse readings, and personal journals for the study to come to a conclusion.
Procedures
I would start my art making sessions by going to my office and putting on instrumental
music. My dog, Ralphie, would assist me with the artmaking process. I had moved his bed under
my desk so that my feet were able to touch him while I worked. It is important to note that
Ralphie is not a certified therapy dog or emotional support animal; he is my own personal dog
that helps me daily. Before artmaking, I would rate my anxiety and depression on a scale from
zero to ten. I would also get a reading of my blood pressure and pulse. I would then create a

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bilateral drawing to get my hands ready to create. After the bilateral drawing, I would move to
working on my art piece. I never had anything in mind of what to create. I would listen to myself
and see what supplies or materials I needed at that moment. Then I would create for an hour.
After an hour of artmaking had passed, I would rate my anxiety and depression again and get
another reading of my blood pressure and pulse. Then I would move to writing my experience in
my journal. I would start my journals by sharing my ratings, blood pressure, and pulse. I would
then write about the artwork I created such as the choices I made for my pieces and my feelings.
I would finish my journal entries by comparing my ratings, blood pressure, and pulse to the
beginning of the session. I would make note of these changes as well in my journal entries. As
my art sessions continued, I started to use Ralphie in other ways to see what was most beneficial.
In a session, I used Ralphie’s paw prints like a stamp and I created art around the prints.
Proposed Data Analysis
In the study, I used qualitative data analysis methods. “Qualitative data analysis is the
systematic examination of non-numerical information to uncover patterns, themes, and insights”
(SixSigma.us., 2024, para. 1). Once I completed my art sessions, I began to look for patterns and
themes in my artwork and journal entries.
Conclusion
In this heuristic study I worked with my dog Ralphie. Ralphie assisted me by lying beneath
my feet while I made art and by him allowing me to use his paw prints. Before I started my hourlong art sessions, I incorporated bilateral drawings into the study. In addition to the art making
sessions, I recorded pre and post session my ratings of my anxiety and depression as well as blood
pressure and pulse readings.

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Section IV: Data Collection and Findings
In this section, using the methodology in chapter three, I share the art and journals I
recorded while working on my heuristic study. In these journals I describe the interactions I had
with art making and Ralphie as well as my ratings for my own anxiety and depression symptoms.
These pieces of art represent just a small part of who I am. Overall, I think I pulled some vital
information from the artwork and the personal ratings which will be further discussed.
Intervention #1
5/8/25 (Figures 1 & 2)
I began my study by setting up the space. I cleared my desk off and moved Ralphie’s bed
under my desk. This allowed me to have my feet touch him while I worked. I started by rating
my depression and anxiety on a scale from 0 to 10. I rated both a score of 10. It was a rough
evening for me, and before I started working, I was becoming teary-eyed. After doing my
ratings, I began to move into some bilateral drawings. I chose a purple marker for my left hand
and a blue marker for my right hand. I then moved into some art making. I wanted my piece to
reflect how I was feeling, but I was unsure of what I would create. I started with a light purple
and black washed background using watercolors. I then added some stickers of butterflies and
foliage. I knew the piece needed something else, so I added large black wavy lines that extended
across the page and branched out around the butterflies, almost in a way of trapping them. The
last piece I added was a sticker that said, “You can’t change the past.” When I came across this
saying, it brought up a lot of feelings. I knew I needed to add it to my piece of art. After an hour
had passed, I stopped and looked at my finished piece. I wasn't in love with how it turned out,
but I know it was more about the process of creating art. My piece came out quite dark. I found
that I was able to put my feelings on paper. I rated my depression and anxiety again. This time, I

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rated my anxiety as an 8 and my depression as a 9. Both had decreased from the start of my art
making to the end of the session.

Figure 1
Bilateral Drawing #1

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Figure 2
Art Intervention #1

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Intervention #2
5/18/25 (Figures 3 & 4)
I sat in my usual space in the office at my desk. Ralphie’s bed was underneath the desk,
allowing my feet to be able to touch him while I worked. I started by rating my anxiety and
depression on a scale from 0 to 10. I rated my anxiety a score of 9 and my depression a score of
7. My depression and anxiety were both on the higher end of the scale due to my constant
fixation on schoolwork that must be done. After my ratings, I began to move into some bilateral
drawings. I decided to pick a light green marker for my left hand and a purple marker for my
right hand. I then moved into some art making. I went into art making with no specific thought of
what to create. I began with a light blue watercolor wash background. Instantly, it reminded me
of the sky. I then decided to make some clouds to go with my sky background. Instead of making
traditional white clouds, I made them purple. There was no reason behind this other than purple
is one of my favorite colors. As I flipped through my collage supplies, I found a saying that said,
“embrace your journey.” This saying resonated with me at that moment. I cut the phrase out and
arranged the words like stairs on my paper. I then added delicate lace ribbon to the far-right side.
There was something about the ribbon that felt like it belonged in my piece. Perhaps it was my
reminder to be gentle to myself. I then added pearl accents to the cutout words to make them
stand out more. My final touch was outlining the clouds using a gold paint pen. I wanted to
incorporate the gold in the words into my background. An hour had gone by, and I looked at my
finished piece. I felt that it was a bit simplistic, but I did not want to add anything else to it. I
accepted my piece for how it turned out. I rated my depression and anxiety again. This time, I
rated my anxiety as an 8 and my depression as a 5. Both had decreased from the start of my art
making to the end of the session.

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Figure 3
Bilateral Drawing #2

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Figure 4
Art Intervention #2

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Intervention #3
6/8/25 (Figures 5 & 6)
I began my art intervention by sitting at my desk in the office. Ralphie’s bed was
underneath the desk, allowing my feet to touch him while I worked. In future sessions, I think I
would like to incorporate Ralphie more into art making. I started by rating my anxiety and
depression on a scale from 0 to 10. I rated my anxiety a score of 8 and my depression a score of
7. I also decided to record my blood pressure and pulse for more data. Before the art
intervention, my blood pressure was high with a reading of 143/98, and my pulse was 72 beats
per minute. I began to move into some bilateral drawings. I decided to pick a tealish blue marker
for my left hand and a maroon marker for my right hand. I then moved into some art making. I
found myself gravitating to watercolors again to get started. I think the reason for this is to have
a colored background as a starting point instead of a blank white sheet of paper. This seems to
take away some stress and anxiety for me when I create. Watercolors are also easy to use without
having to think, and they dry fast, allowing me to keep working. I began with a light pink
watercolor background. I then added a large, dark red heart to the center of my paper. The piece
looked fairly bright and happy. However, as I sat with it, I instantly added black watercolor to
the background and the heart. It was as if the piece’s vibe completely changed at that moment. I
added dark green watercolor vines coming out all around the heart. I wanted the vines to pop, so
I used a metallic green paint marker by adding small lines to each of the leaves on the vines. I
then outlined the entire heart with the same green metallic marker for unity. The last thing I
added was two small black lines on the heart. I added small lines going across these two lines,
almost like a stitch effect. I was unsure as to why I added these elements. As I began to think, I
believed that perhaps I was creating an image of my own wounded heart. The vines remind me

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that beauty can come from dark or hard times. An hour of art making had passed, and I decided
to stop for this session. I rated my anxiety and depression again. This time, I rated my anxiety as
a 7 and my depression as a 7. My anxiety went down a little, but my depression stayed the same.
I also checked my blood pressure again. It read 143/93 and had a pulse of 73 beats per minute.
There was a slight decrease in my blood pressure but a slight increase in my pulse.

Figure 5
Bilateral Drawing #4

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Figure 6
Art Intervention #3

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Intervention #4
6/14/25 (Figures 7 & 8)
I began my art intervention as usual by rating my anxiety and depression on a scale from
0 to 10. I rated my anxiety a score of 8 and my depression a score of 5. I also checked my blood
pressure. My blood pressure reading was high, at 148/104, and my pulse was 76 beats per
minute. I began to move into some bilateral drawings. I decided to pick a lime green marker for
my left hand and a bright pink marker for my right hand. I then moved into some art making. As
usual, I gravitated again to using watercolors for my background. I started with a light blue wash.
I decided to change the way I interact with Ralphie for this art intervention. I wanted to do more
with him and the art-making process. Instead of him lying under my desk, as I had in past
sessions, I decided to take him and my journal outside. It was a nice sunny day. I poured some
orange paint on a paper plate, and I dipped Ralphie’s paw into it. Then, I used his paw as a stamp
on my piece of paper. I stamped his paw four times. After I got his paw prints down, I cleaned up
his painted paw. To reward Ralphie for his cooperation and to help myself, we played with his
toy for a little while in the front yard. After playing, we moved into the house where I could
continue to work on my piece. I used metallic acrylic paint to make the orange paw prints look
like flowers. I added long green stems and leaves to each paw print flower. I then added gold
centers to the flowers and orange lines extending from the center. About an hour and a half had
passed, and I decided to let my session end there. I feel that my piece came out a bit simplistic,
but I love that Ralphie is a part of it. I also love the bright colors and the positive feelings it
elicits when I look at it. This was a different approach compared to my past art interventions, but
I enjoyed the process and the result. I rated my anxiety and depression again. This time, I rated
my anxiety as a 7 and my depression as a 5. My anxiety went down, but my depression stayed

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the same. I also rechecked my blood pressure. It read 149/104 and had a pulse of 71 beats per
minute. There was a slight decrease in my blood pressure and a slight decrease in my pulse.

Figure 7
Bilateral Drawing #4

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Figure 8
Art Intervention #4

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Intervention #5
6/28/25 (Figures 9 & 10)
I began my art intervention as usual by rating my anxiety and depression on a scale from
0 to 10. I rated my anxiety a score of 8 and my depression a score of 7. I also checked my blood
pressure. My blood pressure reading was surprisingly normal at 120/82, and my pulse was 69
beats per minute. I began to move into some bilateral drawings. I decided to pick a Mauve
colored marker for my left hand and a dark purple marker for my right hand. I then moved into
some art making. As usual, I had Ralphie under my feet so that I could touch him while I
worked. I knew this would be my last art session for my study. I felt that it would be most
appropriate to draw Ralphie to honor and thank him for his help with my research. I did not start
with a watercolor background this time. I began by using a pencil to create an outline of
Ralphie’s face. Once I had an image in pencil that I was pleased with, I worked on my piece with
paint markers. I did not want to create Ralphie’s face using traditional colors. Instead, I used a
light and dark blue paint marker to shade and highlight various parts of his face. When I finished
his face, I added his name at the bottom of the page using light and dark green paint markers.
Then I added a green and blue paw print. An hour had passed, and I ended my art-making
session there. As I look at my piece, I would say it is not my favorite one I have created, but it
felt like a nice tribute to Ralphie. I rated my anxiety and depression again. This time, I rated my
anxiety as a 7 and my depression as a 6. My anxiety and depression went down a little. I also
rechecked my blood pressure. It read 140/95 and a pulse of 70 beats per minute. There was an
increase in my blood pressure compared to the beginning of the session, and a slight increase in
my pulse. I found this odd because my anxiety and depression symptoms seem to have
decreased, yet my blood pressure had increased.

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Figure 9
Bilateral Drawing #5

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Figure 10
Art Intervention #5

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Conclusion
After looking at the artwork that had been created, it can be seen that there are some very
clear images of good moods and some less blissful moods. The anxiety and depression ratings
help guide the understanding of the artwork, backed up by the blood pressure and pulse data. In
this section, the incorporation of Ralphie becomes a little clearer. His impact on each reflection
is what helps mold this section.

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Section V: Discussion and Conclusion
Summary of Research
My data was collected over two months. I wanted to see if a combination of art therapy
and pet therapy could help alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms. I began each art making
session by going to my office and placing my dog’s bed underneath my desk. This allowed me to
have my feet touch him while I worked. I would then rate my anxiety and depression in that
moment on a scale from 0 to 10. I would begin making art by doing a brief, bilateral drawing.
Once completed, I moved to making my art interventions. I never had an idea in mind of what to
create. I would ask myself what do I need at the moment? What art material would be beneficial
right now to use? I would make art for an hour. When an hour had gone by, I would then rate my
anxiety and depression again. Lastly, I would write about my ratings, my artwork and my
experience in a journal. As the research progressed over time, I found ways to evolve the project.
I began checking my blood pressure pre and post art making. I also started working with my dog,
Ralphie, in different ways to see what was the most beneficial.
Discussion
I have created two charts to show the results of my study. In figure 11, it shows my
anxiety ratings pre- and post- art intervention. It can be seen through each of the 5 art
interventions, that my anxiety ratings pre- art intervention started off high however, the post- art
intervention ratings were always lower than the pre- art intervention ratings. It can be seen that
my anxiety levels decreased overall when making art. Similarly, in figure 12, it shows my
depression ratings pre- and post- art intervention. It can be seen through each of the 5 art
interventions, that my depression ratings pre- art intervention started high but after making art,
my depression ratings either remained the same or decreased. However, there were only two

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instances where the depression ratings stayed the same. For the remaining three art interventions,
my depression ratings decreased. It can be seen that my depression levels decreased as a result of
making art.

Figure 11
Anxiety Ratings Pre- and Post- Art Intervention

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Figure 12
Depression Ratings Pre- and Post- Art Intervention
I noticed that even on my days when my anxiety and depression symptoms were high,
making art helped me to feel better. Some days it seemed to alleviate the symptoms immensely
and other days a small amount, but it always helped. I even had days when I felt like doing
absolutely nothing and I was not in the mood to make art. However, I would force myself to try
it, and I learned that I felt better overall as a result. These findings can be seen in my pre- and
post-art-making ratings. Often, I would find myself in a state of flow when making art. Even if I
did not always initially feel like creating, I learned that I did not want to stop after an hour had
passed.

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While Ralphie may not be a therapy dog, the addition of having him with me made a
difference. On the days when I was feeling very anxious and depressed, being able to have
physical contact with him helped. I noticed my symptoms alleviated as well when I worked more
directly with Ralphie, such as when I used his paw prints to make art. It is amazing how just his
presence alone helps me.
In addition to making art and Ralphie helping me, I found that playing instrumental
music allowed me to zone out the world and focus on the present moment. It relaxed my nerves,
and it allowed me to create. I also found that having a large supply of various art materials was
helpful. It provided me with choices and different mediums to help with my mood. However,
there were times when having so many supplies became overwhelming and I was unsure what to
use. In these moments, it helped to only have a few supplies available to narrow down my
choice.
A pattern had emerged that I did not realize until I was several art sessions into the study.
I found myself drawn to starting with watercolors for all but one of my art interventions. I would
sometimes use watercolors for the entire piece and other times I would use it just for the
background. I found that starting with a watercolor background allowed me to not have to start
with a blank sheet of paper. It helped alleviate some stress about what to create. I also
appreciated how quick and easy the watercolors were to use and how I did not have to think
when using them.
Limitations
A few limitations can be identified in my study. One would be that there were only five
art interventions completed. If the study had consisted of more than five art interventions, it
could have provided more information on the effects of pet therapy and art therapy on anxiety

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39

and depression symptoms. The next limitation is that I self-reported ratings for anxiety and
depression. These reports can be biased because they are my own personal thoughts. The final
limitation was the blood pressure readings. The readings did not have much of an overall change
from pre to post art making. I think it is important to note that I am on blood pressure medication
and these meds could have skewed the numbers some by regulating my bp.
Suggestions for Future Research
One suggestion I would have if I were to repeat this study would be to take my
blood pressure at the same time every day. Then, I would incorporate the art-making process
around the same time I am taking my daily blood pressure. This way, I would have more
concrete data. I also previously mentioned the use of blood pressure medication. I think that in
future studies, if someone is taking blood pressure medication, they should engage in artmaking
during the time that the medication is least effective. This way, the readings are less influenced
by the medication, and they will provide a more accurate measure of the intervention's impact. In
a more generalized sense, there is very minimal research on art therapy and pet therapy together.
It would be beneficial to learn from future studies how art therapy and pet therapy, when
combined, can support each other. For example, what are the benefits of combining the two
approaches, and are there any drawbacks? Research could also explore whether it is more
effective to do one type of therapy before the other. I believe equestrian therapy could be a
strong area for future research in this context. Horses have been known to have a significant
impact in the field of therapy. How can we incorporate art therapy into something like that?
Also, what about the possibility of using other pets in pet therapy besides horses and dogs? It
would be interesting to see if the use of cats and rabbits can help as well. There are so many
unanswered questions that only become more in-depth the more you begin to explore the topic.

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Conclusion
After completing this heuristic study, it can be seen that art therapy and pet therapy can
help assist each other when combined. These two therapies need to be further studied, and the
lack of current information out there will always cause problems for those genuinely curious
about it. The purpose of this study was to be better educated and trigger the needs and desires for
more information on this topic. Pets/animals can pull individuals from their worst moods and
help them continue their day. This is why it is important to recognize how incorporating them
into a therapeutic session of art can benefit it in multiple ways. As shown in the study the data
showed that anxiety and depression ratings can become better after these sessions. These studies
need to go onto work in unison to continuously help individuals who struggle.

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