January 1, 2010

Therapy dogs can provide physical, mental health benefits to elders

 By Julie Filby

Dogs have long provided companionship, comfort and support—helping them win the title of “man’s best friend.”
In addition to emotional rewards, studies have shown that spending time with dogs can also offer physical and mental health benefits. OHomeCare, a company providing non-medical home care to seniors in the Denver metro area, started a pioneer therapy dog program last year.

What is a therapy dog?
A therapy dog is a dog trained to provide affection and comfort to people in hospitals, retirement homes or nursing homes. The most important characteristic of a therapy dog is its temperament. A good candidate must be friendly, gentle, patient and well-trained.
Their primary job is to allow people, usually strangers, to make physical contact with them. Therefore, therapy dogs must enjoy human interaction and be content to be handled and petted. The dog must also be able to simply sit or lie comfortably with an individual. Some therapy dogs perform tricks or play games.
“The dog and handler must have the type of personality that works well with senior clients,” said Susan Oh, owner of OHomeCare. “They both must be personable, warm, compassionate and affectionate.”
Therapy dogs come in all sizes and breeds. OHomeCare’s dogs include a Labrador-Border Collie mix, French Bulldog, Australian Shepherd and Dachshund.
Therapy dogs should not be confused with service dogs or assistance dogs. Service dogs are trained to guide or otherwise assist an individual to help mitigate the effects of a disability.

Why a therapy dog?
“The human-dog connection is powerful,” according to Oh. “Dogs are loyal companions that shower us with unconditional love. There is no judgment and no expectation except to want to be your lovable friend.”
Studies have shown that interaction with a dog can benefit individuals in the following ways:
• Decrease heart rate and blood pressure (Steed & Smith 2002)
• Increase mental stimulation and social interaction in senior settings (Buettner & Martindale 2008)
• Elevate positive mood levels (Lutwack-Bloom, Wijewickrama & Smith 2005)
• Reduce loneliness (Banks & Banks 2005)
“People have told me when the dogs are around, they’ve seen expressions on residents they’ve never seen,” said Oh. “Residents who never talked are suddenly a bit vocal, and lonely residents come ‘out of their shell’—or simply out of their room.
“It brings so much conversation and interaction when the therapy dog is around the community,” she said. “When residents know the therapy dog is scheduled for a visit, they eagerly wait for the dog to make its rounds for the day.”
Beneficial effects have also been documented in those affected with Alzheimer’s disease. Therapy dogs can provide a bridge of communication to trigger pleasant memories. They can create a safe environment where seniors feel accepted and appreciated, and provide comfort during end-of-life care.

How does it work?
A therapy dog team generally consists of the dog and its handler. Teams visit senior communities, care facilities and private homes. Visits can range from once a week to once a month—and generally last one or two hours.
“Each visit is different, depending on the client,” Oh said. “At a facility, we might be the center of an activity—or go from door-to-door visiting residents. At a private home, we could spend time reminiscing, doing tricks together or just being ‘present.’”
Therapy dog visits by OHomeCare cost $42 each. Initial visits are complimentary.
“It’s been so exciting to watch the community embrace our program,” Oh said. “And in turn, for us to be serving so many seniors in this very impactful way.”
For more information on therapy dogs, visit www.ohomecare.com or call 303-350-3085.