We all love our canine companions and feline friends but as we get older the opportunities to engage with them as we did before become a little more limited. Unfortunately, this means we sometimes must give up our pets to ensure they can still live plentiful lives and get the love and care they deserve.
This can be heartbreaking for both the owner and the pet as their loving bond has been broken. Pets can be quite resilient though and when they find a new loving home, they settle in and soon feel safe and loved again. For humans, especially those in older age, it is not quite the same. A pet is often their only companion and the days with them bring a lot of joy and comfort. Removing this from their lives can be devastating and see feelings of loneliness and anxiety emerge.
Thankfully pet therapy is available to help remedy this and keep the connection between the two going.
What is pet therapy?
Pet therapy is a wonderful form of treatment that allows specially trained animals to help those living alone or in care see their emotional, physical and social health improve.
Pet therapy gives people the chance to interact with friendly animals in a variety of ways depending on the individual’s ability. This could mean simply giving cuddles and stroking or taking them for walks and playing games.
Pet therapy is there to help with a variety of conditions and isn’t just limited to the elderly who may be feeling lonely. Of course, targeting poor mental health through pet therapy is one of the most common reasons it is used, but it is also there for many other ailments. Physical conditions such as those that are neurological or respiratory can also be helped with pet therapy.
Pet therapy isn’t for everyone though. If a pet is already at the home, your loved one almost certainly doesn’t want to give it up, they may just be struggling a little with some of the day-to-day care it requires. That is where our Surrey home care services can be of assistance. Our specially trained care workers can attend the home and assist with feeding, walking and even playing with the pet. This allows the pet to remain living in its preferred home with the owner still getting to enjoy the love and companionship the animal brings.
For many though, pet therapy may be the only option to benefit from the affection, fun and stimulation an animal can bring to help someone through a difficult time.
What animals are used for pet therapy?
Almost any animal could be used for pet therapy, but it would most commonly be those that can be easily trained or are gentle and friendly in nature. Dogs, cats and rabbits for example are very popular due to how easy it is to interact with them. Fish and birds on the other hand promote a sense of calm and relaxation that can help reduce feelings of stress or anxiety.
It should be remembered that some animals are naturally more demanding than others. Some want to be chased and played with continuously, others like to sit and be cuddled. Some want to explore and others like a long nap. Luckily pet therapy takes this all into account and animals are often matched up to people for their specific needs.
What are the benefits of pet therapy?
We’ve touched upon a few of the reasons pet therapy may be advantageous but there are many. From improvements to physical health to improving mental wellbeing, pet therapy can be so beneficial for those needing care or those feeling lonely.
Reduced stress and anxiety
Animals are usually seen as friendly creatures and can promote positive emotions as they are interacted with. Watching a dog or cat pine for your embrace or a rabbit hopping around its run for example can help reduce stress levels. These reduced stress levels then see blood pressure dipping which can lead to improved physical health.
Improved physical health
If a debilitating condition has seen physical health deteriorate, being given the opportunity to go for a relaxing walk or engage in a game with a pet can see improvements in physical health. An improvement in physical health can also lead to an improvement in mental health too.
Improved mental health
The improvement in physical health may help someone feel better about themselves but should the poor mental health stem from other reasons, pet therapy can help alleviate it. Spending time with the animal can release endorphins that make a person feel happy and positive and potentially remove the sense of loneliness or depression.
Encourages interaction
Spending time with an animal helps form a bond between both the animal and the individual as well as the therapist bringing the animal to the home. This multi-channel connection can help restore confidence in the person engaging with the pet and encourage them to feel less lonely as a friendly visitor is spending time with them.
Improved cognitive skills
Regularly seeing the animal and therapist can help stimulate the brain. This could be something as simple as remembering the animals’ names, to understanding how to interact with it at feeding time.
Enhanced motor skills
Spending time with a pet, whether simply giving them a treat, petting them or walking with them can improve motor skills and over time, see coordination improved.
Is pet therapy suitable for all elderly people?
Not necessarily. Many people feel uncomfortable around animals and may struggle with this form of therapy. There are many people who do benefit from it though. The interaction, the fun and the friendly nature of the animals can make it a welcoming change to daily life.
Should a pet already be in place at the home, you can rely on Allium Home Care to help your elderly friend or relative remain with it and enjoy the benefits it brings. Our specially trained care workers are on hand to provide high-quality care. Contact us today to see how we can help ensure a better quality of life for those you care about.
