Whether you consider yourself a dog person or a cat person, most people love being around animals and have had at least one pet during their lifetime.  From playing fetch with your dog after school to coming home from a long day's work to find your cat purring and rubbing against your legs, pets play a huge role in our society.

Since the Egyptians, animals have been domesticated and kept as pets.  They provide companionship to the lonely, teach responsibility to the young and entertain families and individuals alike.  It is for these, as well as many other reasons, that animals are used therapeutically in many settings, from children's hospitals to senior living communities.  Even Florence Nightingale believed that "...the comfort a small animal can provide the sick is immeasurable."

The use of pets/animals in senior living communities as been around for years.  Whether the pets reside in the community or are brought during scheduled visits, studies have shown that the majority of residents in these communities look forward to the interaction the animals.  They enjoy petting, caring for and playing with the pets. The studies have shown that these interactions help to calm and relax residents who may be agitated and can even make them laugh. These moments help to divert the persons focus from any pain or sense of loneliness they may be feeling.  In the case of Alzheimer's patients, Thomas Kirk, Vice President of a chapter of the Alzheimer's Assoc. says "Pet's help Alzheimer's patients by bringing them back to the present."  He goes on to say that dogs have also been trained to alert others when an Alzheimer's patient wanders into harm's way.  Even the simple act of petting an animal is known to relieve stress and bring comfort to those who may recede from human touch.  Everyone needs to be hugged or touched in a loving manner.  It's in our nature.  However, some residents, be they shy or mentally unwilling, avoid the touch of a "stranger", even if it is a daily caregiver.  Holding and petting an animal gives them that much needed physical contact.

Caring for a pet is also good for reestablishing a sense of purpose.  As people get older and their children become adults, the feeling of being needed quickly fades.  Caring for an animal provides that feeling of self worth. that some people can lose as they age and have fewer responsibilities. By doing so, it provides the motivation to take better care of themselves.

Countryside Care Centre has several dogs that live in or visit the community on a regular basis.  Pongo, a 2 year old Poodle/Bischon mix, has been coming to "work" since she was 8 weeks old.  Owned and handled by Assistant Administrator, Lynn Blackburn, Pongo comes to Countryside everyday.  He knows his way around the 2 story facility and can even been seen riding the elevator alone.  Pongo loves to go outside on the patio with residents and attend exercise and therapy programs.  Lynn says of Pongo's involvement, "He is especially helpful during therapy sessions.  He gives the residents something esle to foucus on instead of the pain many dealing with during therapy."  Kim Kohl, Administrator goes on to say,  "The residents are always glad to see the dogs and to play with them."  "Even some of the residents who usually shy away from others, get excited when the dogs are around."  Kim, who also shows her 2 Weimaraners, Chloe and Jersey, took a group of residents to a dog show that she was competing in.  The residents were thrilled to be there and got to interact with many different kinds of dogs.  On another occasion, a magician was at the community to perform for the residents.  Of course, as any good magician will do, he pulled a rabbit from his hat!!  Much to the delight of the audience, the magician let the residents hold and pet the rabbit during the show.  Even for those confined to a wheelchair, the rabbit was content to sit in laps and be petted.

If you know someone who could benefit from or enjoy the company of a pet, look into it.  Contact local senior communities and find out their policies.  Even if you don't have a loved one living in a local community, taking your pet for visits can be great fun. Most pets will love all of the extra attention bestowed upon them and the residents will be just as happy to give it.