1. Goals of Pet Therapy
Gives moderate
willingness to exercise
Improve fine motor skills
Increase self-esteem
Improve assisted or
independent movement
Increase verbal
communication
Decrease anxiety or
loneliness
Karyssaann Costagliola
March 5, 2015
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2. Reduces pain, anxiety, depression, and fatigue
Improves physiological state, decreases heart
rate and blood pressure
Increases physical contact opportunities
Increases mental stimulation
Increase relationship between patient and health
care workers
Improves outward focus
Acquires empathetic and nurturing skills
The elderly are known to become lonely,
depressed, have lack of energy and lack of
socializing
Benefits of Pet Therapy
Pet Therapy & the
Elderly Population
A study done at University of
Missouri-Columbia showed that after a
few minutes of petting a dog it released
“feel good” hormones like serotonin,
prolactin, and oxytocin and lowers the
stress hormone cortisol
Fish tanks were also used with patients
with Alzheimer's to help stimulate the
mind of the patient and bring patients
to the present
Canaries were also used in the elderly
population of Italy with showed an
increase quality of life