How Pet Visits and Animal Therapy Benefit Alzheimer's Patients

While we cherish every opportunity to spend meaningful quality time in person with our loved ones, some of the most impactful visits don't come from human family members. For my grandma, who is my family member affected by Alzheimer's disease (a type of dementia), while she loves her human visitors… we aren't her favorites. Oh no, no, no.

Her favorite visitors are furry, have 4 legs, and don't communicate in words. Yep, that's right, they're dogs!

How animal-assisted therapy helps manage symptoms

While it's been a long time since my grandma had a dog herself, she's never happier than when she has a dog visitor come by! Whether it’s a family member bringing over a small dog or a larger golden retriever, few things brighten my grandmother's day like a visit from an affectionate animal. I mean, I can completely relate to that!

There is certainly a reason that pet therapy or "pet visits" is a popular activity in care homes, hospitals, and hospices. Research indicates animals can not only help us maintain better physical health, but they can also prevent loneliness, which is of particular importance when we think of older adults.¹ Of course, these benefits were studied in regard to pet ownership, not regular - or irregular! - visits with pets.

In a study of people with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia who were provided pet therapy, research indicates that those who received the intervention - and spent time with animals - had improved scores on geriatric depression scales compared to those in the control group.²

Tips for planning a safe pet visit

Based on my own observations and those of my family, we know that the dogs we take to visit my grandma are certainly some of her favorite visitors, and that creates some of her favorite visits with us.

I think this is because there's a different (positive) atmosphere in the room and a different focus. Instead of thinking about the things that need to be done, the things that are more difficult to do, having a pet in the picture provides a much-needed break from the effort of thinking and remembering.

Also, a pet simply provides a distraction - a distraction filled with unconditional love, some laughs, and probably a bit of slobber. The physical act of petting a dog can also offer tactile stimulation, which may temporarily ease joint stiffness or physical discomfort.

The benefits of pet therapy for dementia care

No matter how bad of a day my grandma might have been having when someone walks in with a dog, it's usually at least a bit brighter when the dog leaves!

Have you taken pets to visit your loved one with Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia? Did it have a positive impact on your loved one or on your visit?