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Pet Therapy

dog The beneficial health effects of Pet Therapy are well documented, and people who own pets even tend to live longer lives. For more information see
Dog-Play: Animal Assisted Therapy.


Current Research

  • Trinity Foundation: Pet Therapy Research Initiative

    Animal Assisted Programs in North Carolina
    Carolina Canine Companions, 1609 Pembrook Road, Concord, NC 28025, (704) 455-3776
    Nanshall Training Center, 2206 Martin Luther King Dr., Greensboro, NC 27406, (919) 272-6584
    North Carolina Service Dogs, Contact: Carla Stiverson, P.O. Box 160, Fairview, NC 28730, (704) 628-7925
    People Animal Linking System (PALS), Contact: Marguerite Teague, 716 Charnel Lane, Climax, NC 27233, (919) 674-9220
    Teammates Training Center, Contact: Laurie Schultz, 5205 Woodlane Dr., Julian, NC 27283, (919) 697-7239

    Clincal Evidence for the efficacy of Pet Therapy

    Forbes D A. Strategies for managing behavioural symptomatology associated with dementia of the alzheimer type: a systematic overview. Canadian Journal of Nursing Research 1998, 30 (2), 67-86.

    A review from the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness (DARE) notes that "In terms of social interaction ... One study ...(rated as moderate) found that the presence of a pet dog on a special-care AD unit significantly increased social behaviours." The review continues "Strategies such as planned walking, pet therapy, an attention-focusing program, functional skills training, music, and visual barriers demonstrated promising results in improving:

    a. Aggressive, agitated, and disruptive behaviours.
    b. Social interaction.
    c. Self-care ability.
    d. Day-night disturbances.
    e. Wandering.

    Journal Citations on the topic of Pet Therapy in dementia

    Beyersdorfer, P.S. & Birkenhauer, D.M. Therapeutic use of pets on an Alzheimer’s unit. American Journal of Alzheimer’s Care and Related Disorders & Research (January-February 1990), v.5(1), pp. 13-7.

    Brickel, C.M. Pet-facilitated therapies: a review of the literature and clinical intervention considerations. Clinical Gerontologist (August 1986), v. 5(3-4), pp. 309-32.

    Brodie SJ. Biley FC. An exploration of the potential benefits of pet-facilitated therapy. [Review] Journal of Clinical Nursing. 8(4):329-37, 1999 Jul.

    Bruck, Laura. Today's ancillaries, Part 2: art, music and pet therapy. Nursing Homes Long Term Care Management. Jul-Aug 1996. v.45(7), pp. 36-44.

    Cusak, O. & Smith, E. Pets and the elderly: the therapeutic bond. Activities, Adaptation & Aging (January 1984), v.4(2-3), pp. 1-57.

    Davis, S. Pet therapy..a pet project. Director (winter 1994), v.2(1), p. 25.

    Kongable, L. Pets can help raise self-esteem of Alzheimer’s patients. Alzheimer’s Caregiver (1994), v.5(3), pp. 1-4.

    Kongable, L.G., Stolley, J.M. & Buckwalter, K.C. Pet therapy for Alzheimer’s patients: a survey. Journal of Long Term Care Administration (Fall 1990), v.18(3), pp. 17-21.

    Kongable, L.G. & Buckwalter, K.C. & Stolley, J.M. The effects of pet therapy on the social behavior of institutionalized Alzheimer’s clients. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing (August 1989), v.3(4), pp. 191-8.

    Walsh, P.G., Mertin, P.G., Verlander, D.F. et al. The effects of “pet therapy” dog on persons with dementia in a psychiatric ward. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal (1995), v.42(4), pp. 161-6.