Where Do Therapy Dogs Provide Services?
Therapy dogs provide services in certain settings with the purpose of increasing the well-being of clients, residents, and students. They work in places such as schools, hospitals, memory care communities, and private therapy settings. Unlike certain certified service dogs, therapy dogs are considered pets and have no special rights to access public spaces.
Doctors are utilizing animal companionship and therapy in clinical settings to address everything from chronic pain and relieving Alzheimer’s symptoms to improving longevity and quality of life for elderly individuals.
Evidence shows that therapy dogs can be incredibly helpful to their clients. Dogs might prefer to lie or sit next to clients, walk with them, play fetch with them, or sit with them while they read or engage in other activities. Therapy dogs may provide services in classrooms, medical clinics, and may work with first responders in a variety of settings.
Therapy dogs work in specific settings for the benefit of clients or residents. They may act as part of therapeutic interventions or provide a variety of therapy services.
How to Certify a Therapy Dog
In order to approve certification for a therapy dog, most organizations require dogs to be at least one year old, fully vaccinated, and have up-to-date health and medical records. Different organizations have different requirements, but oftentimes applicants need to make a five-year commitment to a particular therapy dog while the therapy dog is training in a program. Certain organizations allow clients to bring their own dogs (adopted or purchased from a breeder) to be trained. Clients need to be prepared that this is a multi-year commitment.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) has a list of recommended, qualified therapy dog certification organizations. Ideally, therapy dogs would be registered and certified by a reputable organization on this list. Potential therapy dogs undergo rigorous, required certification testing.
How Can Therapy Dogs Help Alzheimer’s Patients?
As cognitive decline progresses, the ability to converse often suffers as language becomes increasingly difficult to access. Having a pet is a fantastic icebreaker and can go a long way towards helping someone with Alzheimer’s break the ice and have a conversation with someone. This can help mitigate some of the loneliness and isolation that often accompanies Alzheimer’s disease.
Senior Care, Hospice Care, and Palliative Care Accommodations in San Diego
RanchView Senior Assisted Living is a family-owned and operated independent assisted living community in Encinitas, California. We offer progressively increasing levels of care according to our residents’ needs. Experience memory care in a relaxed, home-like environment.
Respite Care in San Diego
We also offer respite care accommodations. The respite care program enables family caregivers to take time to rest, recover from stress, and restore much-needed balance in their lives. With this service, we open our doors to individuals living with Alzheimer’s or dementia for a limited stay in our memory care community. This gives family caregivers the opportunity to have temporary relief from the responsibilities of caregiving, without the need for families to make an immediate decision about long-term care.
Creating a Supportive Environment for Alzheimer’s Impacted Individuals
When people think of Alzheimer’s disease, the first symptom that usually comes to mind is memory loss. However, Alzheimer’s affects much more than just memory. It is a progressive disease that impacts various aspects of cognitive and physical functioning, making daily tasks increasingly difficult.
For families and caregivers, understanding these diverse symptoms can provide greater insight into the challenges their loved ones face. While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, educating ourselves about the full range of symptoms can help create a more supportive environment for those living with the disease.
