1. Animal instinct
by Sally Litchfield
MDJ Features Editor
sallylit@bellsouth.net
07.06.10 - 11:00 pm
Studies show that people who
have pets live longer. At Arbor
Terrace at West Cobb, located at
3829 Floyd Road in Austell,
residents benefit from pet
therapy.
Each week at the assisted living
and memory care community for
seniors, different dogs are
brought in to interact with
residents.
"It's a soothing thing and a
chance to connect with an animal
again," said Kathryn Trice,
activity director.
Trice, who began using pet
therapy 14 years ago while
working with seniors, said that
benefits of visiting animals
include diminishing emotional
and physical pain and reducing
boredom and loneliness.
She said that according to studies
pet therapy could do everything
from lowering blood pressure to
decreasing anxiety. "It (pet visits)
can boost your mood," she said.
Pet therapy also helps residents with relationships because they talk with each other about
the pets. "It encourages social interaction. It gives them something else to talk about,"
said Trice, who has worked with the elderly since 1979.

2. "(To) some people, (pet therapy)
is the bright spot in their day.
Their eyes light up. They're
smiling. They love to pet fur and
in some cases hold the animal,"
she said. "(A resident) might not
want to reach out for an exercise
class, but they'll reach out to pet
the animal."
Pets also provide residents unconditional love. "Pets aren't going to judge whether you do
something right or wrong. They aren't going to talk back to you," she said. "(Pets) are just
less intimidating. That's one of the reasons that they're so successful."
Arbor Terrace understands the importance that pets play in the lives of people and in
creating a homelike situation. A few residents even house their own pets.
"I've seen the benefits of pet therapy," she said. "It's a wonderful thing."
For more information on Arbor Terrace at West Cobb, visit www.at-westcobb.com or
call (678) 444-4803 © mdjonline.com 2010