This document discusses the effects of pet therapy on patients with Alzheimer's disease. It first outlines the cognitive and physical declines that occur with Alzheimer's, such as memory loss, difficulty communicating, and impaired motor skills. It then notes some of the social and emotional challenges Alzheimer's patients face, like isolation, limited activities, and health problems. The document claims that pet therapy can help Alzheimer's patients by making them calmer and better able to converse or find focus. It also says pets provide companionship, affection, and a sense of being loved and appreciated.

1. The effects of pet therapy on patients
with Alzheimer’s Disease

2.  As a former Columbia graduate who now has
difficulty remembering your grocery list
 As a former golf, tennis, or running afficionado
who now has difficulty walking up the stairs
 As a former teacher, who taught at least 25
children every year, who now cannot
remember your own grandchildren’s names
 As a former business mogul who now cannot
figure out how to pay your own bills...

3.  Deal with these issues every day...

4.  Results is memory loss
 Manifests itself as difficulty with expressive
oral and written language
 Results in difficulty with speech
 Negatively affects motor coordination, often
resulting in falls
 Eventually impairs long-term memory
 Markedly impairs the physical body
 Ultimately results in loneliness and depression

7.  Death of spouse
 Death of friends
 Limited mobility, thus affecting participation in
Church and other social activities
 Hectic schedules and obligations of family
members
 Physical and social isolation from others
 Significant health problems, which also limit
participation in social activities
 Complications and characteristics of Alzheimer’s

14.  Agitated clients become more socible and calmer
 Quiet, nonverbal clients speak, and carry on a
conversation
 Confused and disoriented clinets find a focus
 Clients who whine and complain find something
positve to say
 Nursing home clients who have lost their
communication skills find a way to communicate
with the animal through touch.

15.  Providing consistent companionship
 Always ready to give and receive affection
 Can help people feel loved and appreciated
even when human contact is diminished

17.  Is there a relationship between the presence of
a pet and immune functioning during a
stressful life change event?
 Can a close relationship with a pet buffer the
acute stress associated with divorce or death of
a loved one , and moderate the long-term
effects
 Is there a relationship between having a pet
and coping with a life changing event?

21.  Allen, Karen, PhD. (1995). “Coping with life
changes and transitions: the role of pets.”
Interventions. 13 (3), 5-10.
 Banks, Marian R. And William A. (2002). “The
effects of animal-assisted therapy on loneliness
in an elderly population in long-term care
facilities.” The Journals of Gerontology. 57, 428-
432.
 Grimshaw, Heather. (2008). “A four-legged
cure.” Thrive. 2(9), 25-29.

22.  www.DukeHealth.org, “Oncology Recreation
Therapy: Benefits of Animal Assisted
Therapy.”
 Horowitz, Sala. “The Human-Animal Bond:
Health Implications Across the Lifespan.” The
Delta Society, www.DeltaSociety.org
 Kansas City Pets For Life,
www.kcpetsforlife.org