Dogs raise spirits at the nursing home
Nursing home visits by a dog, brings out positive behavior from dementia patients, in a recent Australian study. Researchers from the University of Adelaide, conducted therapy sessions, lasting for one week, consisting of a one-hour group session twice a week with a group of dementia patients. The therapy group consisted of an activities therapist, two visiting dog handlers, and one dog. Residents could pat and interact with the dog as the handler walked it around the group.
They found that the group of dementia patients who participated in the group session tended to laugh, smile, and respond more, and these positive effects lasted for the next six weeks.
Although this was a small study, the researchers felt that the dogs did indeed make a difference. In an article by MedPage Today, the researcher said, ”One of the hardest things for residents is leaving their pet behind.”
via MedPage Today, August 27, 2008
via Wordley AM, et al “Animal-Assisted Therapy for People with Dementia Living in Residential Aged Care Facilities” DCC 2008; PS-19.
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