The effects of resident or visiting dog programs on elderly nursing home residents and administrators attitudes towards pet therapy programs

Abstract

A survey of nursing homes in the Brisbane area (n=102) showed that 11.8% (12) had a regular Pet Therapy Program (PTP) and 35.3% (36) were interested in having a PTP. Pet Therapy Programs were defined as having a pet walk freely around the institution and available to everyone. This type of program was preferred to a structured program. The most commonly kept pets were dogs, cats, birds and fish, however nursing home residents also fed wild birds and animals. Eighteen nursing home administrators thought the institution had legal liability for the residents, but most were unsure whether the liability covered the animals'. Administrative and professional staff members were responsible for implementing most PTP's (77.8%), however half of the PTP's operating in the institutions were not supervised or evaluated at any time. The main factor determining implementation of a PTP is whether the administrators want one or not. A study of elderly people who still lived in their own homes (n=50) showed that 52% still kept pets. There were no significant differences between those with or without pets and their perceived happiness, life satisfaction, depression or hobbies and interests nor medical problems. There were no significant differences between the no pet and pet owning groups who lived by themselves or with other people. A desexed whippet dog (8 months) was trained for placement as a resident and visiting dog for two nursing homes in the long term study. Three nursing homes in the Brisbane area took part in the long-term study; one (20 females, 11 males) had the visiting dog (each week), the second (24 females, 8 males) had the resident dog while the third (25 females, 7 males) the visiting researcher only (Control). Tension and Confusion were reduced in the nursing home with a resident dog (X2=21.18, df=10, P=0.02; x2=35.42, df=10, P=0.0001 respectively). This group also showed significant decreases in Depression (x2=31.19, df=10, P=0.0005) as did the Control group (x2=29.8, df=10, P=0.0009; x2=23.4, df=10, P=0.0009). Significant increases in Vigour were found in all three nursing homes (Visiting Dog (x2=43.91, df=10, P=0.0005, Resident Dog x2=42.92, df=10, P=0.0005, Control x2=38.52, df=10, P=0.0005). Fatigue decreased significantly in the Visiting and Resident dog groups (X2=21.58, df=10, P=0.02, x2=19.45, df=10, P=0.03) respectively. This longterm study indicates that there are many benefits from having a resident dog in a nursing home. However, if this is not an option, visiting dogs and/or visiting people improve the lives of nursing home residents.