Dogs make people happy! They make people smile. Who doesn’t love to pet a dog or visit with a cute little puppy? Pets are not only fun, they have also shown to improve senior citizens’ health, according to the American Animal Health Hospital Association. Many Assisted Living Communities have begun introducing neighborhood pet therapy programs in their communities, and also allowing seniors to bring their companion pets with them into their new home.
Regular visits with pets, usually dogs, can have positive physical, emotional and mental benefits. Physical benefits include lowering blood pressure, lowering heart rate and reducing overall stress. The emotional benefits can include reducing anxiety and depression through increasing social interaction with their pets and their companions. Consistent interaction with a pet has been shown to cause an increased release of serotonin and dopamine in the brain which can help calm and soothe a person’s body. This can be helpful for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and forms of dementia, as regular pet visits may help to decrease unwanted behaviors and calm agitation. There can also be mental benefits that are a result of increased mental stimulation, whether it’s talking to the pet directly, or talking to the dog’s owner, or other residents about the dog. All of these things can help keep the brain active.
Having dogs, or pets come to visit can help raise a senior’s spirits and give them a chance to tell stories about their own dogs or pets. This is another way to help increase socialization.
It can help them forget (even for a moment) any pain they are experiencing or any sadness they might feel.
So, having a furry companion can be very therapeutic to our seniors! Pets have a special way of lighting up their hearts. The pets used for Pet Therapy provide affectionate and unconditional love to our seniors and can help them have a better quality of life!
For more information on Pet Therapy Programs at Assisted Living Communities, please contact Mary Dembkowski at Summerhill Villa, 661-254-9933 or marydembkowski@mbk.com.