For those of you that have pets, you know how calming it can be, after a stressful day, to come home to a loving dog or cat. Just watching them play can lower stress levels and believe it or not, lower blood pressure. Medical studies have shown that pets can improve emotional and physical well being in humans.
Bringing animals into a learning situation is very beneficial to children. Love, compassion and empathy are vital concepts for challenged children. It’s amazing to see what happens as children who are violent, enraged or depressed as they interact with animals from an animal assisted program. Within a matter of minutes the children are returning the affection of the animal and start petting and grooming it.
In any situation it’s difficult to stay angry and upset with the world when you have a fuzzy critter nuzzling and kissing you wanting to be loved.
"Pet therapy" is now widely used in nursing homes, prisons, hospitals, and schools to reduce loneliness, anger, depression and stress. Researchers have found that elderly people with pets make fewer visits to the doctor, and that cardiac patients survival rates are higher.
In older people one of the most serious diseases is - loneliness. That doesn’t sound like a medical reality, but people do die from broken hearts. An elderly person who has lost a life long partner, or is medically impaired and can’t stay active, can literally give up on life.
Dogs and cats help overcome the pain of loneliness by supplying companionship and affection., For a person who lives alone, pets can also be a source of security and protection. Everyone knows the value of a hug. But if hugs aren’t available, a pet in the lap is the next best thing.
Many elderly people refuse to leave their homes to go to an assisted living facility or nursing home because pets aren’t allowed. Tolerance for pets in nursing homes is growing, and all states now allow pets in elderly housing facilities. If a federally assisted facility refuses pets, they need to be aware that it is against the law to discriminate against pet owners.
Before you run out and buy grandma a puppy, do your research. If the person lives at home, there are many considerations to think about. A puppy requires a lot of time and training. Even an older trained dog should be walked regularly. Perhaps a neutered/spayed declawed cat would be better. Cats are easily trained to use a litter box, and they don’t require outside exercise. For me, nothing cuts stress better than my big warm kitty in my lap purring and demanding attention. Also make sure about allergies before buying a pet for someone. For a person that is homebound and unable to care for a furry friend, consider an aquarium with some pretty, easy to care for, fish.
If a person is confined to a place where they cannot care for a pet, check into pet therapy. One organization, DOG-PLAY, is a wonderful source of information on Animal Assisted Therapy and they have graciously allowed me to pass on some information for my readers that do not have access to the Internet.
"Animal Assisted Therapy" is for formal treatment programs, usually involving one particular animal and handler assigned to one particular client. The handler and the health care provider consult on specific goals to be accomplished, and plan how to accomplish them.
An animal visit can offer entertainment, or a welcome distraction from pain and infirmity. People often talk to dogs, and share with them their thoughts and feelings and memories. Petting encourages use of hands and arms, stretching and turning. A dog pays little attention to age or physical ability, but accepts people as they are. The visit leaves behind memories not only of the visit, but of past experiences. It offers something for people to share.
The Delta Society is another organization that deals with people and animals. Their mission is to promote animals helping people improve their health, independence and quality of life through the many programs and services that they offer.
Think of all the people who might benefit from contact with companion animals. The man who shuffles down the street. Aunt Mabel. The latchkey child. The co-worker and the researcher. You. And so many others. Not having access to pets can be a hazard to your health. Science cannot fix loneliness, and too many people are prevented from being with a pet that could ease their loneliness. Places that prohibit pets - private leased residences: crisis and short - term shelters: trailer parks, apartments and condominiums: healthcare facilities; hotels and motels; schools; businesses - need to understand how their restrictive policies are contributing to the poor health of the nation. Risk-management, including zoonotic issues, has been addressed at many previously pet-free places, to the satisfaction of both management and pet owners. Sample copies of leases and policies that effectively integrate pets into the environment while protecting the property owner can be obtained from Delta Society.
Having three dogs (one which was a constant companion and source of happiness for my mother until her death) and a cat, I know first hand the therapeutic value of pets.
