Pet Therapy for Seniors in a Nursing Home Facility NJ

A love for animals is an innate value that does not diminish with age. Any animal loving senior that lives in a nursing home facility NJ, most likely misses the companionship of animals in their daily lives. Due to mobility issues, or financial concerns, many seniors have not had pets for a long time. Once they are in a nursing home facility NJ, these seniors are not only giving up their home, but the chance of ever having a pet to call their own again.

The joy pets bring into a pet owner’s lives are immeasurable. Pets provide their owners with companionship, a sense of responsibility, and laugher at the silly antics of the pets. Since seniors cannot own a pet in a nursing home facility NJ, it is a great sense of joy for seniors when visitors bring therapy dogs to the nursing home facility NJ.

Benefits of Pet Therapy in a Nursing Home Facility NJ

Benefits of pet therapy, whether it is a dog or a kitten, provide a variety of benefits for the seniors living in a nursing home facility NJ. The benefits of pet therapy can be mental, physical, and emotional.

Mental Benefits of Pet Therapy in a Nursing Home Facility NJ

When seniors know that an animal is coming to visit them, it gives the senior a sense of excitement and something for them to look forward to through out the day. Being in the presence of a pet can remind those seniors living in a nursing home facility NJ, of a time when they owned a pet. The experience with the animals can trigger a funny story or memory of the pet in which they will be inclined to share with friends, family, or the owner of the therapy animal.

Seniors can also increase their cognition by reading the emotions of the therapy animal. Seniors can note if the pet is acting sleepy, happy, or responds positively when the senior gives the pet a biscuit or pets the animal in a spot that feels good for the pet. Seniors get mental stimulation because a visit from the therapy animal breaks up the monotony of the day. Seniors also have a sensory experience by feeling the softness or coarseness of their fur, the wetness from the animal’s nose or kisses, and the warmth of the therapy animal when they sit on the lap of a senior in a nursing home facility NJ.

Physical Benefits of Pet Therapy in a Nursing Home  Facility NJ

When a senior in a nursing home facility NJ, pets an animal, the senior is improving motor skills. They can even practice fine-tuning their motor skills by petting the animal in a specific area, say behind the ears. It is also a proven fact that blood pressure is lowered when exposed to an animal, which is certainly a positive for a senior living in a nursing home facility NJ.

Emotional Benefits of Pet Therapy in a Nursing Home Facility NJ

Pets provide a sense of comfort and cheer to the elderly, who may feel sad and lonely at times when living in a nursing home facility NJ. Seniors also benefit from the social interaction between the handler and therapy animal. Animals are an easy conversation starter and focal point for conversations, which takes the focus off of the health of the senior.