Pet Therapy
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Its becoming increasingly understood that Pets are good for 'Therapy'. Usually we find elderly bereaved or lonely people have pets bought for them as company.
My dad died 8 months ago. My mother naturally was devastated, as they we co-dependant on each other. My dad had suffered Vascular Dementia for approximately 6 years and as time went on, the strain on my mother increased, being frail herself. My dad had never liked animals, so there were never any pets in the home after I flew the nest. My Mother being softer or more affectionate would have had a pet, but my dad refused.
About 2 months ago my wife and I decided my mum needed a pet for company. My mother resisted this idea and was probably still under severe bereavement trauma.
However, my wife persisted with the idea and eventually we took my mum down to a cat rescue centre.
We were allowed to take our time around looking at all the cats there, and my mum was allowed to stroke and or pick up the cats, if the cat was willing.
Eventually, we all decided on which would be a good cat, one that seemed the most affectionate there. Something more placid for my 88 year old mum.
My Mum has had a lot of support from many friends popping in to see her from our church. But, I would say, getting the cat has been the best thing that has happened to my mum for many a year.
There's always a friendly face and tail to meet her when she comes back home from being out. She get woken in the morning by a purring face (at silly o'clock) and likes my mum to entertain her with toys to play with, and even chased around the house/garden. The cat is just over 2. I think its given my mum another few years of life. Whereas if we hadn't she could so easily slipped away anytime with a broken heart.
(Fawn - inspecting her new home)
Interesting Charity and article about Pets and Dementia.
http://www.alzheimersproject.org/About-Us/News-Photos-and-Calendar/Latest-News/Pets-and-Dementia
Dementia Dog - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5WFe6K5xVU
Gilda
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Gilda
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Last activity on 03/02/2023 at 15:26
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The best medicine not always come in a prescribed bottle, it sometimes has four legs and can be very fury. Scientists have found that if we are going through a rough moment we can always lean on a pet. This domestic animals, which never judge their owner and love him unconditionally can be as effective, or more, to reduce blood pressure and increase the mood, as traditional medicine.
In medicine they have become co-therapists being able to help people with conditions like autism, AIDS, cardiovascular diseases, bipolar disease, depression, etc.
People who work with therapeutic pets have seen that the patients’ anxiety and depression decreases and their wellbeing and vitality increases.
The most common pets are dogs, but some patients prefer cats or other type of company. But there is no doubt that the dogs are the most effective, at list on ground. Dolphins have turned out to be also really effective on any kind of therapy, from mental problems, to body pain and malfunction, and even cancer.
So now you know more about the therapeutic pets and what they can do for us.
Do you have one already ? Would you consider having one? Share your thoughts and experiences…
All the best,
Gilda