Archive for February 10th, 2009

Posted on February 10, 2009 - by Nurse Virginia

Caregiver Tips: Don’t overlook the power of a pet, Therapy Dogs International, also do home visits.

Elderly in nursing homes love to see pets.

I was walking through the facility and a friendly woman was coming towards me with what appeared at first glance to be a baby carriage. In fact it was our Therapy Dog Team visiting residents. The carriage was just the right size for the tiny black and white lap dog inside and at just the right height for an elderly person in a wheelchair to enjoy.

When a family or direct caregiver is too overwhelmed to take on the added responsibility of a pet. The benefits of visiting with an animal on a regular basis can still be enjoyed through organizations like Therapy Dogs International.

Animals create a sense of normalcy for the elderly.

When you arrange home visits or nursing home visits, the visiting dog can give the loved one a sense of normalcy and make life seem more manageable. Animals make life feel more complete while they give unconditional love and acceptance.

A visiting dog team can give the caregiver a little break as they visit and occupy the attention of the loved one. Many time the team becomes part of the family and even is a welcome participant at funerals to comfort families

God surrounded them with animals.
Randy Alcorn stated in his best selling book Heaven “Adam, Noah, and Jesus are the three heads of the three earths. When Adam was created, God surrounded him with animals. When Noah was delivered from the flood, God surrounded him with animals. When Jesus was born, God surrounded him with animals. When Jesus establishes the renewed Earth, with renewed men and women, don’t you think he’ll surround himself with renewed animals?”

Contact Therapy Dogs International, Inc. for home visits and look for Heaven by Randy Alcorn in your local book store for insight on God’s plan for animals.