As we age, we experience many changes in our daily lives.
Seniors often face feelings of loneliness, and rising blood pressure coupled with declining cognitive function makes health concerns more common.
Strong evidence suggests that spending time with pets helps with these issues–and eases any stress in the process.
Research shows that interacting with a furry friend lowers blood pressure, and according to experts, cat purrs reduce the risk of heart disease and strokes
The proven benefits of animal companionship have led organizations like the Pet Access League Society (PALS) to use pet therapy to address the issue of loneliness in long-term care homes, hospitals and senior facilities.
Diana Segboer, executive director of PALS, sees firsthand the positive impact that even a single pet visit can make.
“It brings down their blood pressure,” she said. “It increases the [pheromones] that are going in their body.”
She adds that the visits are about more than spending time with furry friends.
“It gives [seniors] a reason to get up, and get out of their room, and participate in conversation with people that they don’t necessarily see very often,” Segboer said.
The seniors at Carewest Innovative Healthcare homes have embraced PALS visits across 10 facilities. Michelle Douglas, lead of volunteer services, says that residents often begin to connect during pet therapy by sharing stories of past pets.
“You can see people relax,” said Douglas. “Often, senior citizens can be very anxious.”
The healing impact of pet therapy
Janet Rivard, who lives in a retirement village in northeast Calgary, says she always looks forward to the PALS visits and makes room on her chair for cuddles whenever the therapy animals come by.
“It’s unconditional love. They know that you aren’t going to hurt them. They know that you’re happy to be there with them,” she said.
A longtime dog lover, Rivard says she can feel the soothing impact of the sessions. She also enjoys talking with the other residents while they interact with the pets.
After her husband died, Rivard felt the hole in her heart begin to fill through the sessions with PALS dogs.
“It made me remember that he was in a better place. Cause he wasn’t in pain anymore,” she said.
Sherry Hilderman, a Silvera for Seniors resident, says she feels the difference it makes when the PALS pets are in the building. She was always an animal-lover, with many pets of her own through the years.
They were a huge part of her life.
“We lost our youngest son when he was 20. People came to see me, but my cat just stayed right at my feet the whole time, trying to comfort me,” said Hilderman. “I don’t know, there is just something about them.”
Pet therapy has helped Hilderman to a degree such that her doctors wrote a letter recognizing her cat as an emotional support animal. However, Alberta does not officially recognize emotional support animals, which she finds disappointing.
Hilderman is fortunate to keep a pet at Silvera. She says her cat helps her with feelings of stress, cuddling her for an immediate effect.
“You can feel the calm wash over you,” she said.
Hilderman says many seniors are lonely, and she sees that pets can provide the companionship they need. The responsibility of owning a pet also provides a sense of purpose for retired folks.
“I wish all places would let seniors have a pet,” said Hilderman. “If you could figure out any way to get the government or whoever represents that to accept more emotional support animals, it probably would help a lot of people.”