I read a report on the effects pets have on heart attack patients, in Australia. After a year, 6% of heart attack victims who owned a dog died, but, the difference is: a 25% mortality rate for those who didn’t own a dog. Now some people may be surprised. I am not, I have done dog therapy visiting for many years and see first hand the effect a dog can have on a health challenged person.

For many years, we have become aware of the therapeutic effects pets can have in healing. Some of these effects can be for: reduction in depression and stress.

What do you think will benefit you more when you are going through certain challenging difficulties, people or pets?

Think about it. When you are stressed or depressed, do you want a person around, or would you feel better stroking a pet, and looking in your pet’s eyes? Believe it or not, most people prefer the pet because there is no pressure coming from the pet. The pet is strictly a “receiver” for you!

Pets are also great for lowering blood pressure. This is a known fact. There is power in pets.

Having a dog present during stressful times, with people around, could even cancel out the people stress. Again, the dog’s receptive and loving nature seems to suck up the stress.

More power of the pet!

Again, it has been documented in many places that pet owners are happier and healthier people.

What is it that makes a pet so powerful?

A persons mental state of mind can change when you bring a pet into the equation. This has even been proven with scientific studies. The brain chemicals actually go through changes. So, we have fact here, and not fiction.

A pet is in a constant state of acceptance to you. More perhaps a dog than a cat. A pet will bring meaning into someone’s life. A pet can actually serve as a positive relationship; this will give confidence to the pet owner. Many pet owners will work harder, and more efficiently at keeping well, and getting well for the benefit of their pets. They want to make sure that they are there for their pets. An added incentive to wellness.

Animals, especially dogs, have a sense of what their owners need, and they are able to give it. There is no hidden agenda with a dog or a pet. A pet’s purpose in life is to serve his/her master. And the master’s responsibility is to look after the pet. Hence, a purpose for wellness to many people!

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 OOOOH!  Look at the beautiful flowers and greenery…for some of us, Spring really is around the corner!

This is an introduction to both the resident’s rights, and to some terms you may hear while visiting with patients. Even though the dog therapy visitor is not involved in health care, it is always a good idea to be informed of the “world” you will enter.

A Resident’s Right – Senior And Health Care Facility

1 – The right to be ingredients treated with respect

2 – The right to have proper care

3 – The right to privacy

4 – The right to make their room their home

5 – The right to be informed of their medical condition

6 – The right to refuse treatment

7 – The right to participate in all the decision making

8 – The right to have their business and medical care kept confidential

9 – The right to communicate in confidence

10- The right to have family present

11- The right to forma friendships

12- The right to privacy with a spouse

13- The right to be informed in writing of any change of policy

14- The right to manage their affairs

15- The right to a safe, clean environment

There are various disabilities that have prompted residents to move into a home. These are physical problems, cognitive problems, and the inability to function on one’s own.

Any Senior or Health Care Facility should have a council that represents the residents concerns and issues.

In a role as volunteer, even if you are a dog therapy visitor, you will come across certain terms. The following definitions may be helpful.

Alzheimer’s Disease – a progressive illness which leads to memory loss, feelings of confusion and inability to perform daily activities.

Ambulatory – the ability to walk.

Aphasia – loss of the ability to communicate. May not understand instructions, verbal or written. May understand but not be able to respond.

Arthritis – a disease of the joints which causes swelling, deformities and severe pain.

Cognitive impairment – this describes illnesses that cause difficulty with thought and memory. This is NOT a sign of aging, rather, a sign of a medical condition.

COPD – Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: a progress condition of the lungs that leads to shortness of breath

CVA – Common term for this is a stroke.

Dementia – refers to a persons loss of the ability to make sense of the world around them.. Dementia is NOT normal aging, rather is cause by disease.

Diabetes – the body’s inability to process sugar.

DNR – Do not resuscitate – NO CPR

Chronic Depression – a long standing feeling of dejection and lack of hope.

Incontinence – the inability to control bowel or bladder function.

Parkinson’s Disease – a disease of the nervous system causing shaking and poor balance.

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The young the elderly and the doggy My Nikki visiting a senior with her young friend, Catherine. Catherine loves to accompany me when I go Dog Therapy Visiting.

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My Nikki Is With “Therapeutic Paws Of Canada (TPOC)” For Her Dog Therapy 24 hour Work.

Their MISSION STATEMENT

Enhancing quality of life and health through the animal/human bond

PURPOSE

Non-profit organization of volunteers providing animal resources for human needs (physical, mental, educational, motivational, socialization) through regular visits to hospitals, residences, schools, etc.

MOTTO

Paws with love to share

Did you know that you can direct a portion of your United Way donation to Therapeutic Paws of Canada?
With your help this valuable community service will continue to expand to more communities. Simply attach a note to your United Way donation indicating the amount you wish to be directed to Therapeutic Paws of Canada. State our charity number (registered charity 86535 9350 RR0001) and the following address:
Therapeutic Paws of Canada
2886 Front Road
Hawkesbury, ON K6A 2R2

Interested in Dog Therapy? In Canada? www.tpoc.ca/

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How A Pet Dog Can Help Boost Your Health

By Randy Hemsley

Dogs have always been fantastic companions, but they’re also great for your health. Were you aware that owning a dog provides owners with a number of positive health benefits?

Keep reading to learn how your dog can help lower your blood cholesterol levels, maintain mental wellness, reduce the number of your visits to the doctor and increase recovery times after illness.

1) A Healthy Body: Both Cambridge University and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) have published studies that showed pet owners have fewer visits to the doctor than non-owners and a generally superior sense of health. In addition, Medicare conducted a study of its elderly users that showed those who were dog owners visited the doctor less than their non-dog-owning counterparts.

2) A Strong Heart: Studies have shown that dog owners, as a whole, have lower cholesterol rates and blood pressure than non-owners. Both cholesterol and blood pressure are crucial to your cardiovascular health and can drastically affect your risk – positively or negatively – for heart disease and stroke.

One study from the New York State University used high-pressure stockbrokers as its subjects and showed that not only did stroking a pet reduce their blood pressure, but that reduction continued even when the animal wasn’t there. Their conclusion? Pet ownership can lead to a sustained lower blood pressure.

In another study by the Baker Institute of Australia, pet owners were shown to have lower cholesterol levels and lower levels of triglycerides a type of blood fat in their blood than non-owners. Again, high levels of triglycerides and cholesterol can lead to heart disease and stroke.

3) A Healthy Mind: People who own dogs have also been shown to have better mental health than their non-dog-owning counterparts. A steady companion provides unconditional love, affection, a stabilizing presence, and a sense of responsibility that can be crucial to mental well-being.

In fact, another study by UCLA found that of 1800 AIDS patients, those who did not own a pet were more than twice as likely to cite symptoms of depression. A study by the University of Pennsylvania showed that Animal Assisted Therapy can help with ADHD symptoms, Alzheimer’s, and developmental disabilities. Dogs are also used with a number of mental health patients to ward off depression and episodic bouts.

4) A Speedy Recovery: One study at the City Hospital in New York reported that pet ownership so drastically affected survival rates that it surpassed the presence of friends or family in terms of impact.

There’s a reason many hospitals and nursing homes allow pet visitation along with special animal therapy programs it’s been proven that patients will respond more easily to treatment and have a higher survival rate when therapeutically engaged with an animal.

Of course, an animal is more than a crutch expensive or a form of therapy it’s also a wonderful and loving friend that requests little more than a little attention and meals. If you’re looking for a companion, though, consider the health benefits and joy that a dog can offer into the life of someone who simply needs a reliable friend.

About the Author: For information on practical dog necessities, please visit www.dog-necessities.com, a popular site providing great insights concerning issues that help you with dog care, such as dog training products, dog medical supplies, an electronic dog fence and much more.

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: www.isnare.com/?aid=212194&ca=Pets

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