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Snakes as therapy?

legitimatehypnotist

legitimatehypnotist

New member
I'm just curious as to whether or not anyone else on this site has ever seen their snakes as a sort of coping mechanism, or beneficial mentally when dealing a hard time (Grieving, depression, anxiety etc.)
I have severe PTSD, with depression and a bit of anxiety as a result. My animals have always helped me to relax and move forward, but I've found since the day I got my first snake that it's been so much easier to stay grounded and to healthily "dissociate". Even my therapist has said that she sees a visual difference in my mood, and I partially attribute this to the fact that you have to be silent and observant and very relaxed when you own and handle a snake, (also, the fact that they don't argue or poop on your floor helps, too.) I just feel like I went to get a snake because they are pretty and fascinating and I had the resources, and ended up really benefiting emotionally from having them, especially those moments when I can really work on bonding and build trust with my hatchling. She's so nervous and shy and even sometimes mean to other people, but it's almost as if she has some sort of trust for me that I won't harm her at this point. That alone is one of the best opinions your snake can have about you. The uniqueness, sort of coldness of the relationships we have with our snakes really struck me. It's honestly been therapeutic.
My question is, has anyone else had their snakes help them through a rough time or feel the benefits emotionally of owning them?
 
I do with all my reptiles and my dogs. My favorite part of the day is when I get home at night and I go into Herp Heaven and spend time feeding and talking and bonding with the critters. It just takes all that stress from the office away.
 
That is an interesting idea. I do enjoy watching my snakes and I do think they are relaxing animals to own.
 
My Rune had alot of sentimental value to me...and when he died I was crushed. My ex bought him for me when we were still together "in the good times" and after we split up Rune was still there...he was with me when I moved from Oregon to Montana and from Montana to now Idaho. He was always so relaxing to watch and hold. I miss him greatly and can never replace him, but I now have my new little one to build a bond with.
 
I have an ongoing psychology study and I read somewhere that snakes and fish, the care and watching of them is therapeutic to most. I attribute this to the fact that (even though they do not provide the social companionship of say, a dog) their ease of care and simple and, in most, languid movements make for an atmosphere that will ebb away the stress of the day. I find this helpful when I get home and hold my scalebabies.
 
legitimatehypnotist, if you could explain this to the company that oversees the apartment complex I live in, I'd be grateful. :rofl:
 
I am Bipolar and PTSD and the snakes do help me. What has helped me more is the wonderful and understanding friends I have made on here because of the snakes. They are a part of who I am and have been for years. If they have been in my life or not.
 
I have always said "my snakes are my sanity", but now they
are my stress reducers also.
After my 2 Heart Attacks (Stress induced) the Dr said I
need something to help me relax more. I go in and get a
snake out and let it crawl through my hands, I feel more relaxed
and calm and feel less pressure and more relaxed.
Now if I could convince my boss that I need a snake
with me at work.. LOL
 
After a crappy day at work, it's nice to come home to my zoo. Petting a purring cat, holding one of the reptiles, or watching the fish swim about can be very relaxing.
 
My mom stresses a lot and the first time she held my corn she thought it was very relaxing and wanted to get one but my dad says they already have enough pets.
 
Wow, I'm really glad I'm not the only one! It's interesting to me, too. I save bully breeds for a living and although the companionship is irreplaceable and one of a kind, a dog can feel your pain, so it's a different type of bonding and companionship, but the act itself of saving dogs is emotionally trying and often shakes your faith in humanity. The same with cats, they comfort you when you're sad and do not expect you to cheer up. This, also, is a different sort of companionship. Although I love and adore the affection of my cats, who are beautiful and wonderful and therapeutic themselves, they do not possess the calming effect my scalebabies have on me.

There is truly nothing I love more than observing my girls at night, and hearing them in the dark as I fall asleep slithering through their aspen and climbing (and falling lol). And watching their physical change, no other animal I've ever owned, with the exception of other reptiles goes through such a change.
It's entirely possible that they also hold some sort of symbolic significance for me. Dealing with my diagnosis was hard, but with them around, it gets very easy for me to just take a deep breath and close my eyes, like they serve as a reminder to just take it slow.
 
I have always found it stress-reducing to hold my snakes. They are generally so calm. And their scales are so smooth. And their tongues tickle. And they are so aesthetically pleasing. I am always in a better mood after holding one of them. I can feel my shoulders relaxing.
 
I know this topic is for emotional therapy but I've found snakes useful in physical therapy as well.

I suffer from migraines. I'm recovering from one today thanks to the nor'easter we're experiencing. Its getting better as I'm actually able to look at T.V.s and computer screens. But all I wanted this morning was a snake wrapped around my neck! I don't even care if they squeeze hard! It feels good! And when they crawl through my hair, its the exact pressure massage that I can handle right now. Yesterday I didn't want any contact with my head. Pulling my hair back into a ponytail or wearing a headband would would have been excrutiatingly painful. Today, with the snakes, its better. I really need Draco but she's cloistered right now. Hiccup is doing a good enough job.

Devon
 
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