Feb. 12, 2007

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AMARILLO – Older adults who live alone, either in their own home or in a residential facility, may find a pet is just what the doctor ordered, a Texas Cooperative Extension specialist said.

"In today's busy and unsettled world, the friendly wag of a dog's tail or the purr of a cat may be a welcomed change," said Andrew B. Crocker, Extension gerontology specialist. "Pets can provide unconditional love, support and companionship.

"Having animals can encourage communication – even if it is a one-way conversation," Crocker said. "They love for us to talk to them or show them affection and seem to respond to our needs and moods, almost as if they understand. Pets touch a person's inner self in ways that science does not yet understand."

A pet's need to be fed, exercised and attended to can provide pet owners with mental and physical exercise, but also provide an extra set of eyes and ears for protection, and even teeth to help pick up items, he said.

"Walking a dog is a great form of exercise, stroking a cat may reduce anxiety, and having any sort of pet focuses you on something other than your own troubles," Crocker said.

Some research, he said, suggests that pet ownership may do even more than cheer up the owner. It has been associated with a reduced risk of clinical depression, which is estimated to affect over six million older adults annually.

Studies also have found pet owners are more physically active than those without pets, Crocker said. Pet owners also are better able to attend to their own daily activities, such as walking and bathing, than those with no animals.

Building on the relationship between humans and their pets, pet therapy is a burgeoning activity being practiced in hospitals, residential facilities and other establishments throughout the U.S., he said.

Pets do not always have wagging tails and fur; they may be fish in an aquarium or a canary, Crocker said.

The presence of an aquarium, especially in a residential facility, may be soothing and offer a connection to the outside world in addition to serving as a catalyst for social relationships among residents, he said.

Birds may provide the same type of social relationships when a group gathers around the bird cage, Crocker said. Birdsong can bring back positive memories of childhood and outside activities to many individuals.

In pet therapy, a dog, cat or other animal is used as an integral part of medical treatment provided under a healthcare professional's supervision, Crocker said.

Many health professionals say pet-therapy animals provide educational, physical, cognitive and psychological benefits to patients of any age, he said. Patients may experience improved range of motion, an increased ability to focus and greater self-confidence.

However, Crocker said, not all animals make good therapy pets. Pet therapy has an impact on the animals, and not all older adults like animals. For instance, if someone brought their pet snake into a facility for therapy, it might not be well-received.

Standards for pet-therapy animals vary from facility to facility, he said. Check with local facilities, such as hospitals, nursing homes or assisted living facilities, to see if they have an active pet-therapy program.

"Someone with the facility should be able to tell you what is required and provide you an opportunity to volunteer," Crocker said. "If you are looking to start a pet-therapy program and are seeking individuals who may be interested, contact your local chapter of the Humane Society."

Crocker stressed studies on pet therapy have not been based on randomized clinical trials, and bear further scrutiny. Over the past 60 years, clinical research on pet therapy has been inconclusive.

Some researchers found no correlation between an animal's presence and improvement in the well-being of older adults, he said. Others determined that animals could help lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety and relieve depression merely by being in the room.

"Further research may provide clearer understanding if and when pet ownership and pet therapy may be a helpful part of physical, mental and emotional therapy or just a friendly face to have around the house," Crocker said.

For more information, log on to the Web site for the Center for the Human-Animal Bond at Purdue University: http://www.vet.purdue.edu/chab/ .