In nursing homes, PFT provides residents with:
A form of non-threatening, reassuring, non-verbal communication and
tactile comfort, and to help to break the cycle of loneliness,
hopelessness and social withdrawal. Many of who had been detached
and unhappy. In many cases, the pet dogs involved residents in walks
and other activity, helping to improve physical and emotional well
being (SCAS, 1987).
According to Katcher (1988), the role of pets and domestic animals
is closely related to the physiological and psychological well being
of humans, especially as related
to touch, intimacy, and nurturance. Animals can give undivided
attention to often-lonely elderly residents, something that the
staff do not always have time to provide. The results of a study
completed by Perelle and Granville (1997) suggest that when animals
are introduced into an institutional environment, they provide a
catalyst for positive social behaviour change. The animals provide a
unique contribution to the institutional environment.
The benefits an institution can receive by implementing a pet
therapy program include:
a more relaxed atmosphere
an improved sense of patient/[inmate] self-worth
a necessary diversion
companionship
Companion animals can be utilized in nursing-retirement communities
to relieve resident’s feelings of loneliness, depression and
boredom. Individuals have also exhibited dramatic improvements in
their ability to interact and communicate with other residents and
staff. (Cusack and Smith, 1984)
