Therapy Dogs Help People with Dementia Feel Better
Author Information
Author(s): Brooks Carolyn, Dell Colleen A., Chalmers Darlene, Carey Ben D. B.
Primary Institution: University of Saskatchewan
Hypothesis
Can therapy dogs help individuals with dementia experience self-affirmation during interactions?
Conclusion
Therapy dogs can facilitate positive social interactions and help individuals with dementia feel good about themselves.
Supporting Evidence
- Therapy dogs encourage movement and help reduce anxiety in individuals with dementia.
- Interactions with therapy dogs can lead to positive psychological shifts and a sense of self-worth.
- Therapy dogs help individuals with dementia connect with their past and feel more present.
- Handlers reported that therapy dogs facilitate more meaningful social interactions.
Takeaway
Therapy dogs can make people with dementia feel happy and connected, helping them remember good times.
Methodology
The study involved qualitative observations from therapy dog handlers interacting with four individuals with dementia in various settings.
Potential Biases
The authors' involvement in therapy dog programs may introduce bias in their observations.
Limitations
The study relies on the subjective experiences of the therapy dog handlers and does not account for the individual differences among participants.
Participant Demographics
Participants included four individuals diagnosed with dementia, aged from middle-aged to elderly, in different care settings.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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