Animal Therapy at Weeroona Aged Care Centre
“The Dog Therapy Program offers significant support to those residents who are quieter or tend to isolate by providing a non-judgmental, comforting presence that encourages social interaction and emotional connection,” tells Weeroona Aged Care Centre’s (“Weeroona”) Care Service Employee, Christy, of the Centre’s new pet therapy program.
Christy was instrumental in establishing the Program and, she says, “a dog offers a safe and non-threatening way to initiate interaction. The dog’s friendly and affectionate behaviour can make the residents feel more comfortable and open to connecting, either with the animal or with others present during the session.”
The Program initially started last year, coinciding with International Dog Day, and received positive feedback from residents, particularly those who tend to self-isolate or who experience dementia. Christy notes that the formal establishment of the Program followed a series of steps to ensure that it was safe, effective and beneficial for participants.
“Before implementing the Program, we developed a Lifestyle Activity Plan to identify our target group and goals, and then we planned how we could run the Program smoothly, safely and efficiently,” she says. “We also ensured that each dog had completed all their vaccinations and were well-trained and well-behaved around people.”
When it comes to the benefits of the Program to date, Christy notes the impact on residents’ emotional and psychological support, particularly in reducing anxiety, agitation and feelings of loneliness. “People with dementia often experience confusion, disorientation, and emotional distress, and the presence of a therapy dog can provide comfort, calmness, and a sense of security,” she explains.
The Program’s benefit is evident in the positive transformation of a resident who struggles with verbal communication. “One of our residents has dementia and is not really interested in engaging in group activities, but she began to show noticeable changes in her behaviour after regular visits from our therapy dog,” Christy explains.
“She started to join others for dog therapy sessions as well as interacting with other residents even though it’s hard for her to speak in English. When she engaged with the dogs she would start laughing and giggling while petting the dog and would raise a thumbs up, showing us her big smile, and saying, ‘good!’”
“Seeing our residents smiling and interacting with the therapy dog brings a sense of joy and fulfillment, creating moments of connection and comfort,” Christy goes on to say. “It not only brightens their day but also provides a meaningful way to communicate and bond, even when verbal communication becomes challenging.”
