What is Pet Therapy?

Pets have long been shown to benefit our health and well-being, and Pet Therapy is being used worldwide to great effect in nursing homes, long-term hospitals, institutions for mentally and physically impaired, day care centres etc. Peata describes it as the use of companion animals (dogs) to enhance the quality of life of people in Caring Institutions by visiting and interacting with them.

  This is Cashel.
He was one of the first Peata therapy dogs and was a resident of the Hospice in Harold's Cross.
This form of therapy is relatively easy to provide using voluntary pet-with-owner visiting teams. Experience has shown that pets are a boost to residents and staff, and help to create a more homely atmosphere in institutions. To obtain optimum benefit, schemes should be developed and carried out with adequate thought and preparation.

The Benefits of Pet Therapy

A visiting dog:
- Helps to combat isolation, withdrawal, loneliness, boredom and depression.
- Brings companionship and aids social interaction.
- Gives non-judgemental affection
- Helps reduce stress and lower blood pressure
- Aids stimulation and motivation
- Very important for people who have had to give up a pet when entering a care home.

For more imformation see:-Theraphy dogs on RTE