From Fur to Feathers: How Animal-Assisted Therapy Enhances Person-Centered Dementia Care
The presence of an animal in a long-term care home offers more than just comfort to residents.
“Animals can play a significant role in dementia care by enhancing quality of life by fostering a sense of joy, connection and comfort while offering physical benefits. Animals can help reduce stress and loneliness, improve mood and social connectivity, trigger positive memories, and lower blood pressure,” says Karen Simpson, Manager, Behavioural Services & Dementia Care at Extendicare.
Pet therapy is a meaningful part of the routines of residents living in many Extendicare homes and can provide psychological and physical benefits that help to improve their quality of life.
A golden opportunity: Sophie’s infectious energy at Elginwood
When Sophie, a Golden Retriever working with St. John Ambulance’s Therapy Dog Program, walks through the doors at Extendicare Elginwood in Richmond Hill, Ontario, there is a sense of excitement as word spreads throughout the home that a favourite four-legged visitor has arrived.
We sat with one resident whose face lit up as Sophie approached him. He reached down and Sophie put her head in his hand, offering immediate connection and comfort.
“It’s amazing. Many residents have these instant reactions, beckoning at Sophie to come closer,” says Leigh-Ann, Recreation Manager at Elginwood. “Having regular pet therapy visits in the home gives the seniors something to look forward to each week.”
Animals have a remarkable ability to evoke positive memories and associations in dementia patients through multisensory stimulation and emotional connection. For many people living with dementia, long-term memories remain accessible even as short-term memory fades. The sensory cues provided by a therapy dog, such as the feel of its fur or the warmth of its body, can activate deeply ingrained memories.
“We’ve found that seniors with dementia may not remember that the pet visits them each week, but they do remember the animal when they see them, and it makes their day better,” adds Leigh-Ann.
As Sophie visited with one resident in the dining room, her owner or handler, explained that there is a small group of Portuguese- speaking residents at Elginwood who especially delight in Sophie’s visits because her handler is fluent in Portuguese. The pet therapy visits offer them a chance to not only interact with the gentle golden retriever but also to speak Portuguese. Speaking to Sophie’s handler, one resident reminisced of childhood memories of having a dog at home. These moments of connection and memory recall are deeply meaningful for residents, especially those with dementia.
“When Sophie leaves, the good feelings from seeing her remain. Residents are happy and calm for hours afterward,” Leigh-Ann explains.
The therapeutic effects extend beyond Sophie’s immediate presence, contributing to better sleep, reduced anxiety, and improved mood.
Even those who are not “animal people” can’t help but smile as Sophie shows off her tricks. Leigh-Ann notes, “It gives them something to talk about with other residents, their families, and the care team.”
Animal-assisted therapy across the country
Across Canada, other Extendicare homes are utilizing animal-assisted therapy for the benefit of their residents. At Extendicare London in Ontario, the home welcomed a trailer of critters for an event where residents got up close and personal with some farm-yard favourites including chickens, rabbits and a miniature horse. Residents were able to interact with the animals and learn about their care from their handlers.
In Alberta, Extendicare Fort Macleod employs a unique approach to the pet therapy program, where team members regularly bring their beloved pets to the home to visit with the residents they care for. Visits from an english setter named Bozley and afternoons with long-time in-house feathery friends and residents of Extendicare Fort Macleod, Sonny and Cher, a star-studded pair of Cockatiels, always bring smiles to residents.
Residents are offered the chance to experience the tactile stimulation of petting and holding the animals, the sensory experience of singing with the birds and the opportunity to keep the dogs’ trick skills sharp by practicing commands. Team members at Fort Macleod say they have seen a decrease in anxiety and agitation in their residents, and an increase in memory stimulation triggered by reminiscing on pets of residents’ pasts.
These moments of connection, joy, and engagement bring lasting benefits that extend beyond the visit, enriching the residents' daily lives. The bond between humans and animals holds potential for enhancing well-being and fostering a sense of community in care settings.
From triggering fond memories and encouraging language use to promoting physical movement and offering unconditional support, therapy animals like Sophie, Sonny, Cher and Bozley play an invaluable role in enhancing the lives of residents and team members in long-term care homes. For many, these visits are not just a highlight of the week but a cornerstone of holistic, person-centered care.