Animal therapy for depression during COVID-19 pandemic

Humans aren't the only ones that have to pivot their lives during the coronavirus.

Animal therapy is also finding clever ways to bring its unique method of mental health to those who need it the most.

In non-pandemic times, The SOUL Harbour Ranch in Barrington, Illinois, a northwestern suburb of Chicago, normally brings its therapeutic animals to hospitals, hospices and nursing homes for in-person visits.

But since March 2020, Founder and President Jodie Diegel has come up with an ingenious idea to cheer up residents at a nearby nursing home.

The registered nurse founded the not-for-profit ranch in 2018, after previously starting and running another animal therapy program for many years.

The ranch is home to ten miniature horses, all therapy animals, four miniature donkeys (not registered), two big horses and three dogs -- as well as a bundle of new recruits.

Also, Diegel is using social media and Zoom to get her animals out to the public and finding an audience even further and wider than before.