Pet Therapy for the Sick and the Elderly

In many ways, our physical health and our mental health are linked. If we have a chronic illness, we are likely to become depressed. If we are stressed, body functions tend not to work as smoothly as they might if we were calm and relaxed.

There are many ways to keep our health balanced: medication, exercise, aromatherapy, massages, meditation techniques and yoga, to name a few. There is also a very simple way to ease stress, overcome depression, and reduce other types of psychological upsets.

Pets of all sorts have been given recognition as stress reducers and mood enhancers. It doesn't matter what kind pet you have, as long as it's one you're interested in and it doesn't cause you additional stress.

How are pets able to help us live longer?

It won't come as a surprise to some of us that pets are better companions than some spouses, family members or friends. A pet's devotion and attention is unconditional. What you see is what you get. Unlike humans, we can count on a pet to be there, and to be in a good mood, any time we need them. We can be ourselves and not worry about what we say. They never try to change us because they think we're great the way we are. Our behavior won't be judged by a pet, unless we hurt them, of course.

A pet is likely to reduce symptoms brought on by stress, such as high blood pressure and muscle tension.

Many terminally ill patients have lived longer than expected because they felt their pet needed them. Caring for their pet gave them responsibilities and a reason to live.

We now know that keeping our brains active and having a more complex, varied and interesting lifestyle will increase longevity. Pets provide this environment along with their relaxing and soothing presence. The mental stimulation we have when watching a pet can bring back memories and stimulate parts of the brain that might otherwise continue to lie dormant.

Ways pets are helpful in nursing homes and hospitals

Many cities have organizations that take specially trained pets around to nursing homes and hospitals. Visits from pets benefits patients by boosting their moods and increasing their social interaction. It's hard to keep from smiling when a cute, furry face is watching you expectantly and waiting for your attention.

A visiting pet doesn't see the things a human would, such as an amputation or scars, that might make a patient feel embarrassed if it were a stranger visiting. A pet doesn't have to worry about saying the right thing and doesn't want anything in return except maybe some petting. The patient feels at ease because he doesn't need to expend a lot of energy and isn't required to carry on a conversation.

In a hospital situation where most human contact is painful or invasive, the touch of a pet is soft, safe, non-threatening and pleasant. Patients react differently, some shedding tears of joy, some wrapping their arms around the pet and putting their head on it, but all receive the same positive effects.

After the pets have been taken away, the uplifted moods remain and the patients have something to talk about. Patients in nursing homes might have the same daily routine and the rare visitor, so the energy and love a pet brings into their lives makes a huge difference to them. Their focus has been shifted from their own aches and pains to something more pleasurable that lasts well beyond the length of the visit.