The Healing Power of Pets

The bond between humans and animals has been well documented for centuries. The traditional roles dogs have filled in human lives have been utilitarian or working dog and companionship roles. Increased recognition is being given to the myriad of health and emotional benefits dogs can offer humans. The amazing part? We can reap these benefits just by being in the same room with a dog!

From Alzheimer’s to Autism evidence is mounting in support of the positive therapeutic effects dogs can offer. Studies have shown that holding or petting an animal can cause a lowering of blood pressure, release of strain and tension, and can draw out a person from loneliness and depression. For the residents of Assisted Living communities these dogs are especially helpful because of the isolation, loneliness, and insecurity that many of the elderly experience. A visit with a therapy dog may remind them of dogs that they’ve had in their past and the joyful memories that they shared. Therapy Dogs are able to fill a need that is not being addressed in any other way. They allow the seniors to both give and receive affection making animal assisted therapy (AAT) a truly valuable experience.



AAT may be an effective treatment plan for many diseases where traditional therapy is ineffective or has failed. AAT has shown some promise in the treatment of the following diseases/conditions among others:

Depression
Cerebral palsy
Alzheimer ’s disease
Autism
Anxiety
Hypertension
Panic Disorder
High Cholesterol
Mental Retardation
Dementia
Attention Deficit Disorder
Substance Abuse Disorder
Physical and Occupational Therapy

For more information on the benefits of animal assisted therapy
for the elderly, check out the following articles.

Companion Animals in the lives of Persons with Alzheimer's Disease. Mara M. Baun, D.N.Sc., FAAN University of Texas-Houston School of Nursing

For Seniors: Pets Are Just Plain Healthy. By Ed Kane, PhD

The Role of Pets in Enhancing Human Well-Being: Effects for Older People. Lynette A. Hart [Reprinted from The Waltham Book of Human-Animal Interactions: Benefits and Responsibilities. Courtesy of Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition.]

Stressful Life Events and Use of Physician Services Among the Elderly. Judith M. Siegel

AAA and AAT Projects In A Geriatric Institute: Effects On The Patients’ Welfare. Michelazzi, M.; Besana, F.; Santarato, D.; Diudici, P.; Verga, M. Journal of Veterinary Behavior. 2007 May-Jun; 2(3): 83-83.

Companions In Presence: Animal Assistants And Eldercare. Koppel, Michael S. Pastoral Psychology. 2011 Feb; 60(1): 107-115.

Effect Of Animal-Assisted Therapy On Engagement Of Rural Nursing Home Residents. Martindale, Brianne P. American Journal of Recreation Therapy. 2008 Fall; 7(4): 45-53.

Pets And Elderly People: Single Company Or Something Else? Rodrigo Claverol, M. D.; Ortega Bravo, M.; Sarmiento Cruz, M.; Rodrigo Claverol, E.; Capdevila Andreu, M.; Nadal Braque, N. Swiss Medical Weekly. 2009 Aug 22; 139(3-4): Supplementum 175: 120S-120S.

The Influence Of Companion Animals On The Psychological Health Of Older Adults. May, Cybele. Australian Veterinary Practitioner. 2007; 37 (1): 14-16,18-19.

Walking For Therapy With Man's Best Friend. Cangelosi, Pamela R.; Sorrell, Jeanne M. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services. 2010 Mar; 48(3): 19-22.

Effect Of Dog-Walking On Autonomic Nervous Activity In Senior Citizens. Motooka M, Koike H, Yokoyama T, Kennedy NL. Medical journal of Australia. 2006 Jan 16; 184(2): 60-63.

Pet Encounters: Animal-assisted Therapy for Frail Older Adults. Buettner, Linda L. Activities Directors' Quarterly for Alzheimer's & Other Dementia Patients, 2008 Winter; 9(1): 29-45.

Dog Visitation Therapy in Dementia Care: A Literature Review. Williams, Elizabeth; Jenkins, Rhiannon. Nursing Older People. 2008 Oct; 20(8): 31-35.

Association with Companion Animals and the Expression of Noncognitive Symptoms in Alzheimer's Patients. Fritz, C.L.; Farver, T.B., Kass, P.H., Hart, L.The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, July 1995, 183 (7)

Pets and the Health of Older People. J. McNicholas, G. M. Collis