What Is Pet Therapy?

Pet therapy is a recognized therapeutic approach that incorporates trained animals into guided therapy sessions with individuals. Pet therapy might be used to help enhance cognitive, emotional and physical well-being in a variety of ways. For example, the presence of a calm and loving animal often helps people who are agitated or nervous feel calmer, which can promote better communication or make care tasks easier.

In some cases, animals might be incorporated into activities outside of formal therapeutic sessions. For example, in the context of a memory care community, residents may be able to participate in planned activities that involve playing with or petting animals. Some smaller communities may have a "community" pet, such as a cat, that spends time with different residents. In some cases, assisted living communities allow residents to bring their own pets.

Is Pet Therapy Effective in Memory Care Situations?

Pet therapy — or the less formal presence of a beloved pet — can be effective in memory care. However, the safety of the individual and the pet must be considered. It's critical to choose trained animals that are calm and used to working in therapeutic settings, and you should also ensure that individuals aren't allergic to the dander or fur of the animal they might work with. Supervision is also essential to promote safe, effective pet therapy.

What Are Some Benefits of Pet Therapy for Those With Dementia or Related Conditions?

Some benefits of pet therapy for individuals dealing with dementia diagnoses can include:

• Increased social interaction and reduced loneliness. Pet therapy or just time with companion animals can help people feel less lonely. In one study, older adults were 36% less likely to report feeling lonely when they owned a pet.
• Support for cognitive function. Pet therapy may help support ongoing cognitive function, potentially helping people with memory challenges recall certain facts or events. Having a pet nearby or interacting with a calm pet may also help someone focus on what's going on around them or a specific task at the moment.
• Potential pain management. Pet therapy and companionship may help individuals deal better with negative symptoms, including pain.
• Decreased nervousness and agitation. Pets and therapy animals, such as dogs, cats and horses, can help people stabilize mood, reducing agitation, anger, nervousness and other volatile emotions. Mood stabilization may be helpful in a memory care environment, as it could combat issues such as sundowning.
• Increased emotional calm. When individuals with dementia can experience calmness through pet therapy or by connecting with a special companion animal, it can have knock-on effects throughout the day. That can include being able to fall asleep at a similar time each night and getting more restful sleep.
• Encouragement for physical activity. Pet therapy or helping to care for a pet companion can encourage daily activity, which is also good for individuals with dementia or other memory conditions. Regular exercise can help improve overall health and contribute to better circadian rhythms, reducing struggles with sleep.

How to Get Pet Therapy for Your Loved One

If you're caring for a loved one with dementia in your home, having a well-trained and trusted pet around might produce some of the benefits above. That's especially true if your loved one had a relationship with the pet before they were diagnosed or if you're able to engage them in assisting with pet care.

However, pet companionship, though beneficial, isn't pet therapy. If you're interested in formal pet therapy for your loved one, consider reaching out to an organization that provides it. In and around Thornton, CO, you might reach out to Animal Assisted Therapy Programs of Colorado to find out about the types of animal-assisted therapy it offers.

It's also important to set realistic expectations as you search for opportunities to support a loved one with dementia. Incorporating socialization activities, including pet therapy, can make a positive difference in cognitive function, overall well-being and personal happiness. However, it might not provide these benefits in every case, and no therapy can cure dementia.

Families and individuals with dementia may want to concentrate on proactive approaches to slow disease progression where possible and find opportunities to promote a safe, active lifestyle otherwise. One of those options might be considering memory care within a community setting.

If you're wondering if a memory care community might be right for your loved one, connect with us at Bethesda Gardens in Thornton, CO, today. You can learn about our vibrant community and all the therapies, activities and services we provide to ensure your loved one lives a happy, safe and active life here.

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