*Lisa, age 8, falls off her bicycle. She runs in to the house crying for her mother. Her mother sees that Lisa has a pretty large cut on her knee. She cleans the wound and bandages it up. Lisa, still crying because of the pain, walks into the living room. She sits down and her dog Tasha jumps up on the sofa with her. Her dog licks Lisa's face. After 2 minutes, Lisa has stopped crying and tells her mom that the pain is all gone.
*Lisa, age 15, has been dating a young man for a year. She runs into the house crying that he just broke up with her. No one is there to comfort her. She throws herself on her bed and begins crying--louder and louder. Her dog Tasha walks in the room and sits in front of her bed looking at Lisa. Lisa looks up and sees Tasha's caring eyes on her. Tasha's ears are semi-lifted. She places her head on Lisa's leg. Lisa pets Tasha and begins talking to her dog like her dog was a therapist. Lisa's mom walks into the room and asks if Lisa was alright. Lisa smiles at Tasha and says, "I am much better now."
The question arises: But how can Pet Therapy help my elderly loved one?
Animals have a keen sense when it comes to emotions. They pick up on many senses that humans can't. Animals are fantastic for companionship. They are happy to see you, they know when you are sad, they love to receive attention, and they are loyal.
*NEW as of March 3, 1999*
I wanted to share with you a program that I watched on PBS about cats. There is a nursing home in New York that has cats as pets in the nursing home. The cats each have their own floor.
The workers who were interviewed had said that the cats are wonderful for companionship, that the cats keep the residents company. Also, a resident was interviewed and she said she loves the idea of the cats. It makes her feel like she is at home.
The program showed taped footage of the cats visiting the residents and sleeping on the beds with the residents. The residents that did not want cats in their rooms placed a sign on their door saying "No cats in this room."
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