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A huge problem for elderly people is lonliness, and this definately helps with that. It not only means that the elderly gentleman or women interacts with the dog itself, but it opens up a huge new world of people to interact with.
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Exactly, a elderly person may feel they don't have a reason to live alone, so always having company makes the world of difference. I think a lot of it is the reassurance that they are not alone. An animal is always there, always has time for you. Its something living that you know is ''in it together'' with you. If ever an elderly person is feeling down, an animal can cheer them up instantly. Its lovely to see, and I do see it so, so much.
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Oh, the relationship is entirely mutual, the dog gains just as much from the companionship as the elderly person does, definately. Well its easy to see that really, if you think how much the elderly gentleman or women would love the dog. Or I should say need the dog, really.
Pets as Therapy volunteers visit people in there own home, as well as visiting elderly homes and people in community groups.
Observation of Pets as Therapy trainer
Observing a ‘Pets as Therapy’ dog trainer showing their dog to an elderly man, has shown me how dogs interact with elderly people. The dog was gentle, and stood calmly letting the man stoke her. She clearly enjoyed the attention she was getting from the man, which, judging by the man’s reaction, must have made him feel needed. The Pets as Therapy volunteer spoke with the elderly man for some while, about the dog she was handling. This conversation again would probably not have arisen if it was not for the dog. This was extremely valuable, because it is often a tendency for elderly people to suffer from loneliness and boredom.
Then I spoke with the owner of a different ‘Pets as Therapy’ dog. He takes his dog, Daisy to a nursing home where she interacts with elderly people. Although not many nursing homes allow dogs to be kept there, a topic I will talk about later in this research section, many except a visit from therapeutic dogs. This particular dog visits once a week. The owner explained how she is the only way many residents will interact with people. He explained that how before Daisy visited many residents would not speak to other people in the nursing home and just sit alone in their room. However, he said that now he takes Daisy, the staff working there have reported a change.
For example, he told me how one resident with dementia (which often leads to people having a short term memory, but their long term memory failing them) could not remember his own name, or his children’s. However, last month he took Daisy to visit him regularly for a two week period, and amazingly the man could remember Daisy. Although I do not understand how this is possible, I do not doubt that it shows how truly important dogs can be to elderly people. Daisy’s owner spoke to me about how dogs can help by offering interaction with elderly people, and by stimulating their senses. Many of the elderly people he helps clearly feel loved by Daisy, making them feel important.