The Benefits of Therapy Animals for Seniors

Anyone who has ever stroked a dog’s soft ears knows the calming feeling a therapy dog can offer. A therapy dog presents many health benefits to their owners, like lower cholesterol levels and can even prevent heart attack and stroke. They can also help fight depression.

For these reasons, more and more often dogs are being utilized for therapeutic purposes at senior facilities. Therapy dogs are used to promote health and healing for seniors of any age range or health condition, whether they are depressed, chronically ill or have ongoing disabilities.

Pet therapy for seniors, also known as Animal Assisted Therapy, is a technique that uses animals to interact with seniors for numerous reasons to help improve their quality of life. Studies show that just fifteen minutes spent bonding with an animal promotes hormonal changes within the brain. Stress levels drop as the brain produces serotonin (the “feel-good” hormone), along with prolactin and oxytocin. This is why therapy animals are good companions for seniors, because they offer so many amazing health benefits.

Animals used for therapy purposes range from live-in pets that act as emotional support animals to their owners to animals certified by organizations like Therapy Dogs International or Pet Partners and volunteer animals that work with and are trained by hospitals or other organizations..

Physical Benefits of Therapy Dogs

Pet Therapy in Senior Communities

Some assisted living facilities are offering pet therapy because of the numerous benefits interaction with animals offer to seniors. American Senior Communities are among such facilities.

Seniors suffer from depression usually as a result of loneliness or isolation, either because friends and family members cannot visit on a regular basis, or they aren’t as active as they previously were. Perhaps a loving spouse has passed away. Contact with therapy animals can bring some withdrawn seniors out of their shells, making them happier and more communicative.

Studies show that seniors who are active and always around others, or who own a pet decline in health far less rapidly than isolated or depressed seniors.

Important Benefits of Pet Therapy for Seniors

Having an animal in a senior’s life can help improve their well-being and give new meaning to their life. Due to the numerous health benefits therapy animals provide, many assisted living facilities are starting to include pet therapy in their regular senior care programs. Being around animals makes people feel better, healthier, and happier.

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