Hello, kitty

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

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...

Deal with these issues every day...

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

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

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.

Providing consistent companionship Always ready to give and receive

affection Can help people feel loved and

appreciated even when human contact is diminished

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?

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.

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