Benefits for the Elderly

Notes : All informations are abstract from Doctor Dog (Animals Asia Foundation) 1st edition of The Definitive Dr. Dog Guide ~ Volunteers.
www.animalsasia.org

Elderly people who have pets visit their doctor 16% less than those who do not have pets. Dog owners receive the greatest benefits as on average they visit their doctors 21% less often than non-pet owners do. (1)

"Research by Professor Parminder Raina et al. of Canada's University of British Columbia showed that on average the elderly who own pets had 30 encounters with the health care system whereas non-pet owners on average had 37 encounters.
Seniors who owned pets had shorter length stays (8 days) than non-pet owners (13 days)." (2)

"The mere presence of a dog may facilitate interactions with the non-communicative patients, assist in recall of memories and help sequence temporal events in patients with head injuries or chronic degenerative diseases of the brain such as Alzheimer's disease, and teach appropriate behaviour patterns in those with emotional disabilities." (3)

(1) Phil Arkow - 'Pet Therapy : A Study & Resource Guide for the Use of Companion Animals in Selected Therapies. The Loving Bond and Dynamic Relationships in Practice.'
(2) This report was presented at the 1998 International Conference on Human-Animal Interactions
(3) Joanne Roth - 'Pet Therapy - Uses with Geriatric Adults. "The International Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation" University of La Verne December 1999.