My husband and I now have cats living with us. I think that they can sense when we don't feel well, physically or emotionally, and they are there for us. I can sleep best when little "Summer" lies down against my leg. Big "Patches", all eighteen pounds of him, crawls up in my husband's lap like he's a baby. My "Midi" massages my aching neck with his paws, and Autumn and Spring both purr to the touch. Our pets are such comfort to us.
If your Alzheimer's patient grew up with a pet inside, if they seem to enjoy being around one outside now, then why not bring one in. It might be just the right step to make life more enjoyable for your patient and for you as well. We all could use an little unconditional love at times.
References
Engelsman-Robins, Charmaine. "Pets to the rescue" Sarasota Magazine, Mar2000, Vol. 22 Issue 6, p268-271.
"Pet therapy can improve residents' functional status" Dealing with Dementia -- Optimizing Functional & Life-Quality Outcomes, 1997, p139-140.
Rogers, Arthur. "Looking after Alzheimer's patients." Lancet, 5/8/93, Vol. 341 Issue 8854, p1209.
Pet-Therapy.org http://www.pet-therapy.org
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