Going to the dogs: Pet Therapy for those with Alzheimer’s
Add comment March 5th, 2009
As a dog lover and dog owner, I’m a firm believer in the use of pet therapy for seniors diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Unless you’re not a dog person, you understand the beauty of unconditional love from a dog. No matter what kind of day I’ve had, my two dogs greet me with wagging tails and make me feel like the most important person on the planet. Who can’t use more of that? One of my two dogs is a retired therapy dog; thus, I’ve seen the joy a visiting therapy dog can bring to those who can no longer have a pet of their own. As the director at a local Adult Day Services, I’ve had many conversations with participants about pets from their past and how much those animals meant to them.
To find out a little more about the use of pet therapy with persons diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, I contacted a Certified Pet Dog Trainer. Jan Carlson, CPDT, has experience using dogs as therapy on a professional and personal level; she owns dogs, trains dogs, owns a kennel and has family history of a loved one with Alzheimer’s. Jan concurs that pet therapy can have much benefit for those in various stages of Alzheimer’s and dementia.  She’s been involved in taking dogs to area nursing homes and has seen how residents’ demeanor change for the positive when the therapy dogs arrive. Just sitting and petting a dog can have a positive effect on the resident; some feel calmer, others enjoy talking about their own beloved pets, others like watching the dogs do tricks. For those who love dogs but can no longer own one, having a few minutes with a therapy dog can do wonders. If you’d like more information on therapy dogs or dog training in general, give Jan a call (815-235-1500).
Of course, therapy dogs don’t just show up at nursing homes or at programs designed for those with Alzheimer’s; they have to be invited! In addition, the dogs are usually required to be certified as therapy dogs. Not everyone enjoys dogs (some are downright afraid), so knowing the dogs are going to be on the site is very important for many residents. Ask your loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s about his or her interest in a visit from a therapy dog. Chances are you’ll get a positive response, both from the person and from the visit.
