Page 4 - Bella Vista Gardens Newsletter Winter 2021

4 BELLA VISTA NEWS, WINTER 2021

Health & Wellbeing

The Benefits of Pet Therapy

You’ve most likely heard the saying “dogs are a According to a study published in the Japanese
man’s best friend,” but dogs and other pets alike Psychogeriatric Journal, pet therapy improved
can often do much more for a person’s health depressive symptoms in residents in a long-term
than just being a great companion. Aged care facility by 50%. Participants also experienced an
residences, retirement villages and hospitals can overall improved self-perceived quality of life.
benefit from regular visits from animals trained to
offer support and companionship to people in an Another study concluded that all participants with
unfamiliar or stressful environment through pet dementia experienced a significant increase in pro-
therapy. social behaviour and a decrease in behavioural
disturbances during the interaction with the dog.
Pet therapy, also known as Animal Assisted
Therapy (AAT), is a treatment aimed at improving Pets also play an important role in helping
an individual’s overall health and wellbeing individuals recover from loss. Elderly people who
through consistent interaction with an animal. Pet have recently lost a spouse or family member can
therapy benefits both children and adults and has greatly benefit from the companionship of an
been proven to elevate mood and decrease animal, as it can provide comfort during times of
loneliness. grief.

The first formal research into pet therapy began in A study conducted in Germany involving therapy
the 1960s and it has become an increasingly dogs found that residents living with dementia had
popular form of treatment for people with improved verbal communication function and
disabilities, mental illness, chronic diseases, greater attentiveness after completing the
dementia and people living in aged care program. The group who had spent time with the
residences or in hospital. animals reported feeling “interested,”
“enthusiastic” and “inspired” significantly more
Depending on the needs of the individual, pet than those who did not spend time with the pets.
therapy may involve adopting an animal, taking
part in a community therapy animal program, or Each of our residences, receive regular visits from
participating in sessions at an aged care residence. animals as part of our Leisure and Lifestyle
Animal interaction can promote a sense of Program to help improve mood and decrease
belonging, love and appreciation and can be a stress. Some of the animals used for pet therapy
great source of companionship for individuals that visit us include dogs and a recent visit with
feeling isolated. Pet therapy provides a wide range horse therapy.
of benefits to patients both physically and
mentally. Source: IRT Group