Humans have unfathomable and complex connections with animals. Pets can change the outlook of nursing home patients. These animal companions help the patients and staff members. Pets have many positive effects on seniors. Different animal interactions cause strong therapeutic effects on elderly. “Watching fish swim in an aquarium has been demonstrated to lower blood pressure, and it is no coincidence that some medical offices have aquariums in their waiting rooms to relax their patients” (Walker). Several tests have been done to acknowledge these effects that animals have on the patients. There are numerous specific accounts of the improvement of a nursing home patient visited by an animal. Some people think that it brings an unsafe environment …show more content…
Animals give the patients emotional support, through their attention and affection towards the individual. With this emotional support, residents may increase their social interaction with other residents and staff members as well as visitors. Pets become an important topic of friendly conversation; this can help nursing home residents become more social with those around them. In the article “Pet Therapy for Seniors” it is mentioned that, “even when seniors are not willing to confide in family members and nurses, they are often willing to share their thoughts and feelings with a critter. Pets don’t judge; they just listen and offer their affection.” Visitations by animals can increase a patient’s satisfaction of their life by making the patients feel worth living for or needed. They can also decrease resident’s depression and improve their psychological well-being. This may lower the amount of suicidal attempts in nursing home facilities. Animals create a relaxing environment for the patients; this can decrease patient’s stress levels which can also bring down the patient’s blood pressure and heart rate. “Studies have shown that being around a pet can actually lower your blood pressure and reduce stress;” sequentially this improves the health of a nursing home patient (“Pet Therapy for Seniors”). Humans seek out a life buddy; the older people get the less amount of human interaction they may have, especially if they go into a nursing home facility. The companionship of these animals comforts both the residents and their family members, who may or may not visit the loved one in the nursing home. Animals have a different reaction than humans when they see medical equipment on patients. When a family member sees this medical equipment on the loved one in the nursing home, they may show signs of grief. This may upset the patient but for the family member to see them doing better
Some medical professionals do not believe that mental health patients can benefit from therapy dogs and go as far as saying it is a risk far as to say that it is a to the patient and compromise the patients ability to take care of the dog. When people who suffer with mental health issues qualify to get a therapy dog. The mental health patient is tested to see if they are capable of taking care of the dog. Those in need of assistance should use therapy dogs frequently do to the part of the benefits to using these pets to improve mental and emotional health as and physical health. Therapy dogs are beneficial to people who suffer from mental health issues by providing companionship as well as support. Some people with mental health issues have a hard time trusting others and need someone to talk to; Service dogs are important because to make they people with mental health problems feel better and help people with these disorders deal with their emotions.
The US Census in 2000 has reported that, during the late 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century there has been a large increase in the number of elderly people living in the United States of America, which will likely result in an increased incidence of dementia. In recent years, dog-assisted therapy has been widely regarded as a generally accepted method of providing elderly residents with good feelings and an increase in self-maintenance behavior. The aim of this study is to examine the psychological and behavioral effects of dog-assisted therapy on elderly residents with dementia. I predict that dog-assisted therapy will help elderly people with dementia with their behavioral and emotional problems such as aggression, agitation and psychosis.
C.: Pets help reduce loneliness, lower stress, which both can lead to mental health issues, and help people become physically and socially active. II. :A pet can reduce loneliness, which can then reduce the risk of evolving certain mental health issues. A. 1.: ¨In part, interactions with pets alter the tendency of those with mental problems to focus on themselves.
A therapy dog is a dog that might be trained to provide affection and comfort people in hospitals,retirement homes,nursing homes,schools,hospices,disaster areas, and to people with autism. Therapy dogs are usually not assistance or service dogs. but can be one or both with some organizations. In the u.s. Therapy dogs are not service animals and are not afforded the same privileges as them. Institutions may invite. limit or prohibit access by therapy dogs. If allowed many institutions have rigorous requirements for therapy dogs. United States based Therapy Dogs International And the use of service dogs in their therapy dog program Service dogs perform tasks for persons with disabilities and have a legal right to accompany their owners in most
Animals have long been part of human lives serving many purposes from companionship or serve purposes in healthcare history. Pets provide a valuable companionship for older adults and help people grow up in a more secure and active life, as well as playing an important role in the health of a person. Animals provide a relationship centered and compassionate role in the healing and dying journey of their loved one and in general can be of great benefit to both the mental and overall health of an older adult. Pets can offer a variety of health benefits and improvement in quality of life for older adults such as decrease of social isolation, increase positive behaviors, distraction from pain or traumatic thoughts. Pet therapy can advance nursing profession by expanding the horizons in which
"Animal-Assisted Therapy." Animal Assisted Therapy, Exploring the Therapeutic Link between Animals and Humans. American Humane Association, 2013. Web. 13 Mar. 2014. .
As the saying goes, a dog is a man’s best friend. The dog is a loving companion to a man. He is happy to go everywhere with his master. He shows his affection for his master by wagging his tail and licking his hand or face. This timeless relationship continues to evolve into new kinds of human-dog interactions that increasingly benefit society.
AAT is still a fairly new type of therapy but since one of the jobs of the animals is to provide affection and comfort a therapy animal is usually found in retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, hospices, disaster effected areas, hospitals and in places with people who have learning difficulties (GoodTherapy). Animal therapy takes advantage of the natural bond between ad animal and a human, therapists believe that when using animals there are significant emotional and transformation changes (GoodTherapy). Patients who are involved with AAT see physical improvements in their health such as: decreased stress levels, reduced anger and aggression, decreased hostility towards themselves and others, improved social skills, decreased heart rate and normal blood pressure levels, increase in endorphins, improved self-esteem, trust, patience and a sense of empowerment (GoodTherapy). Animal therapy will also be seen a lot with kids because often times they have a harder time trying to express their feelings or make connections with adults but they can connect with an animal. Therapy animals can teach a child patience, respect, empathy, acceptance, confidence, assertiveness and responsibility. No matter the age of the person who works with the therapy animals they know that no matter what happens they won’t be judged only be loved unconditionally and that’s something they don’t always feel from human therapists
Pet Therapy A bus carrying several clinical students from the local college pulls up in front of the nursing home. The students begin to unload some boxes which contain puppies and kittens ranging in age from three to six months. Once inside, the students begin to pass the puppies and kittens out to the patients that are waiting expectantly in the recreation room. Some patients are alone, some are in groups, but all are delighted to see the animals arrive.
The complexity and diversity of the animal kingdom has always captivated me. This has resulted in a desire to accomplish a place in Veterinary Nursing. This aspiration has it’s origins in an early family life occupied with animals and pets, a developing interest in the science and wellbeing of animals and an expanding sense of duty for the care we owe to the creatures which convey true companionship and loyalty. Work experience and volunteering has taught me to recognise and appreciate the ‘guardian’ roles performed by the veterinarian and veterinary nurse which has served to increase my determination to pursue a career in a field which has an everlasting effect on animal companionship and welfare, as well as human industry, community and
In the field of therapy, there are numerous of therapy available out there for different type of individuals and situations as well. There is one type of therapy that usually contains people and animal, it is animal-assisted therapy is a therapeutic approach that brings animals and individuals with physical and/or emotional needs together to perform the therapy. Animal-assisted therapy tend to be focused on individuals either children or elderly for them to be able to connect with the animal thus feeling comfortable talking with the therapist. Pet therapy works for all ages, whether sick or not (Lanchnit, 2011). Although, this paper, most of the focus is on animal-assisted therapy towards children using dogs.
For many humans, a pet provides unconditional love and affection. Others feel an overwhelming calming, happy feeling when they are around animals. According to The American Veterinary Medical Association, studies have shown that due to these positive emotions that are stirred, the presence of and interaction with animals can lower heart rates and blood pressure. Animals that meet specific training criteria can become an integral part of a treatment process for a variety of psychological and physiological problems.
Many people in the world today suffer with problems such as anxiety and depression. As a way to treat these problems, those people should use animal-assisted therapy. Animal-assisted therapy (also known as pet therapy) is used in many hospitals and is growing more every day.
Owning a pet can have many physical and mental health benefits. Medical studies show having a pet result's in lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels. Pets have a role in cardiovascular health from lowering blood pressure, and they encourage psychosocial stability in owners, which further reduces the risk of heart disease. In the hectic and fast-paced world we live in today, pets are actually saving our lives. Pets provide an excuse to be active, dogs live an active lifestyle, wanting to play and run around outside. By making us more active and improving our health, dogs often provide a good workout! Instead of sitting on the couch being lazy, dogs are eager to transfer their energy and enthusiasm to the owner benefiting both dog and owner in many ways. Studies show that dogs demonstrate trust and provide comfort to the sick or elderly thus helping people to live longer and to be more positive as they age. Animal owners over 75 years of age have f...
Can you hear the cries of those who do not communicate in the human language? How about the fearful mewing of a motherless kitten? Do you worry for the exhaustion of a donkey, staggering under a load to heavy to bear. Does your heart skip a beat when you hear the whimpering of a lost puppy? Are you filled with sadness when you an animal that has been hit by a car? Do you take in strays and feed them because they are all skin and bones? If so you are a pet lover. You would never hurt a pet. You know the importance of taking care of a pet. Taking care of your pets is a responsibility that you need to have. Pet care involves going the veterinarian, a nutritious diet, and plenty of exercise.