Could Dad Benefit from Pet Therapy?

By Andy Niska | March 21, 2018 | Comments Off on Could Dad Benefit from Pet Therapy?

If you have a dog or cat who is an important part of the family, you know how good they can make you feel. Over the years, the benefits of spending time with animals has begun to take root in the world of health care. It’s not uncommon to see dogs and their handlers in hospitals visiting patients to provide pet therapy. If you’ve wondered about pet therapy and whether it could benefit your senior parent, learning more may help you to decide.

Home Care in Liberty Lake WA: Pet Therapy

Home Care in Liberty Lake WA: Pet Therapy

About Pet Therapy.

Pet therapy usually takes place in a medical setting, with a handler and their trained animal. Most people are familiar with dogs being involved in pet therapy, but cats, ponies, and even guinea pigs have also been used.

There are really two kinds of pet therapy. They are:

  • Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT): AAT is more structured and has a specific goal in mind. For example, a stroke patient might throw a ball for a dog with the end goal of strengthening the arm affected by stroke.
  • Animal-Assisted Activities (AAA): AAA is a more casual meeting between a patient and an animal. There isn’t a specific goal in mind except to make the patient feel better. A typical AAA session might involve the handler introducing the animal to the patient who spends time petting and interacting with the pet while chatting with the handler.

 

How Pet Therapy Helps.

Pet therapy can be used in several ways. Some situations in which pet therapy might be helpful for seniors are:

  • When a senior is undergoing treatment for cancer.
  • During a long-term hospital stay.
  • When a senior suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder.
  • When a senior has dementia or Alzheimer’s.

 

Some of the benefits of pet therapy include:

  • Lowering blood pressure.
  • Reducing overall pain.
  • Encouraging the release of endorphins, which improves mood.
  • Better cardiovascular health.
  • Lessens depression.
  • Reduces feelings of isolation.
  • Promotes communication.
  • Relieves boredom.
  • Provides comfort.
  • Decreases loneliness.

 

If your elderly parent is undergoing ongoing medical treatment, such as recurring visits to the hospital for chemotherapy, ask the staff if pet therapy is available. They may be able to arrange for your parent to spend time with an animal that could make the visit less stressful.

 

Having a pet at home can provide many of the same benefits of pet therapy in a medical facility. If you’re considering getting your parent a pet, but aren’t sure if they can care for the pet on their own, home care can help. A home care provider can assist your parent to feed the pet. Home care providers can also take the dog outside or clean the cat’s litter box. Home care providers can also go for walks with the senior and their dog, ensuring the senior remains safe and the dog gets some exercise.

 

If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Liberty Lake, WA, please contact the friendly staff at Love at Home Senior Care, today. Call (509) 204-4088

 

Sources

https://www.healthline.com/health/pet-therapy#benefits

https://www.pawsforpeople.org/who-we-are/benefits-of-pet-therapy/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/pet-therapy/art-20046342

 

Andy Niska
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