Pet Therapy: Health Benefits of Animal-Assisted Interventions

Course overview

The number of older adults requiring long-term care worldwide is on the rise. In the USA, the latest estimates place over 1.3 million older adults living in long-term care. In addition, people living with dementia comprise a large proportion of the resident population of care homes. Moving from independent living to residential or nursing care is a key transition in an older person's life and can significantly affect their quality of life. A recent systematic review suggested that as many as 61% of older people living in long-term care may be moderately lonely and around 35% may be severely lonely. A nursing home administrator can offer a home-like environment to residents, as the presence of animals or pets may contribute to a feeling of less institutionalized living. A resident dog or cat is becoming more common in a variety of healthcare settings, including nursing homes. In 2010, a resident cat named Oscar made headlines after he was consistently reported to detect imminent death among the residents of a Rhode Island nursing home by curling up next to them in their final hours. The therapeutic potential of animals in numerous clinical areas has been increasingly recognized, leading to more healthcare facilities providing Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) to their patients. Benefits are particularly relevant to geriatric patients. Nursing home administrators should consider AAT as a more structured, goal-oriented, and planned activity, often led by a trained therapist. AAT can offer healing, support, and comfort to those who are physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually compromised. The healing occurs through present-moment experiences that are nonjudgmental, enabling AAT recipients to better express their emotions. The animal encounters can also serve as a bridge for patients to bond with their healthcare providers, as the presence of the animal may help them feel safe and secure. In addition, animals provide patients with the motivation to undertake more difficult tasks, such as performing physical therapy exercises. The nursing home administrator's role is crucial for the successful implementation and ongoing operation of an AAT program. They are responsible for developing policies, ensuring resident and animal safety, promoting effective communication, and ensuring the program is conducted in a legal and ethical manner. AAT programs should provide collaboration between administrators, animal-assisted therapists, and caregivers to ensure proper integration into resident care plans. Nursing home administrators are involved in choosing the right animals for AAT in their facilities, hiring therapists trained in AAT protocols, and enforcing strict infection control and safety measures. Continuing education programs detailing the advancing role of AAT in physical and mental health are valuable for nursing home administrators. The webinar titled Pet Therapy: The Health Benefits of Animal-Assisted Interventions explores the science of the human-animal bond, beginning with the brain chemicals shared between a human and a companion animal. The course follows the evolution of pet therapy to its current status as complementary medicine known as Animal-Assisted Therapy. The veterinarian's role in securing the safety of both people and animals during purposeful play and therapy is discussed. The research presented addresses the relevance of canine-assisted therapies in hospital intensive care units, mental health and rehabilitation centers, schools, day care centers, and nursing homes. For the nursing home administrator interested in offering AAT in a long-term care setting, information on qualifications for an AAT therapist is provided.