Pet Assisted Therapy and Aging Adults
What is Pet Assisted Therapy? Pet Assisted Therapy is using trained dogs to help improve a seniors quality of life. It can be used to help promote healing. One excellent benefit to Pet Assisted Therapy is a solution for loneliness. Often, seniors may become depressed due to feeling alone. Perhaps they can’t get around like they used to or their family is unable to visit as often as they need them to. They become withdrawn due to a lack of companionship and contact. Pet Assisted Therapy allows seniors to have a companion by their side to care for, bond with, and love.
Pet Assisted Therapy can offer other benefits to your senior as well. Such as:
- It can offer a way of exercise for seniors. Walking the dog is a great way to get out and get some fresh air! Seniors can create a daily routine with their dog, going on walks all around.
- Having an animal to care for can create a new sense of purpose for an aging adult. It can help to build up their self-esteem and confidence.
- Studies show that being able to touch the animals soft fur and give their dog a nice pet can help lower blood pressure and reduce stress.
There are numerous health benefits to Pet Assisted Therapy with aging adults. Companionship, happiness, confidence, and exercise are only some things that can be accomplished by using Pet Assisted Therapy. Pet Ownership is becoming increasingly popular due to all of the benefits, the same applies with Pet Assisted Therapy for aging adults. It can be a great way to add new purpose to a seniors life.