The most accurate and widely used term for animals that visit nursing homes for emotional and therapeutic purposes is therapy animals. While dogs are the most common, this category also includes other species such as cats, rabbits, and even birds, llamas, and alpacas. These animals, along with their handlers, volunteer their time to provide comfort and affection to residents in various settings, including hospitals and long-term care facilities.
There are several distinct types of therapy animals, each with a specific purpose and level of training. Understanding these distinctions is important to clarify their roles and legal standing, especially since they are not the same as service animals or emotional support animals.
Types of Therapy Animals That Visit Nursing Homes
Therapeutic Visitation Animals
These are household pets whose owners volunteer their time to visit nursing homes, hospitals, and rehabilitation facilities. The visits are often informal, focusing on providing comfort, affection, and a break from the monotony of daily life. These animals help reduce feelings of isolation and depression by offering a friendly, non-judgmental presence.
Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) Animals
In a more formal context, AAT animals work with healthcare professionals, such as occupational or physical therapists, to help patients achieve specific treatment goals. In a nursing home, this might involve a resident brushing a dog to improve fine motor skills or playing fetch to increase mobility. The animal becomes an integral part of a planned and structured therapeutic intervention.
Facility Therapy Animals
Unlike visiting animals, facility therapy animals often reside at the nursing home and are handled by a trained staff member. These animals are specially trained to work in a facility environment and can provide continuous support to residents, particularly those with conditions like Alzheimer's or dementia. They can help calm residents during periods of distress and increase social engagement.
The Proven Benefits of Animal-Assisted Activities
The positive effects of pet therapy on seniors' well-being are well-documented. Interactions with therapy animals can lead to numerous psychological, physical, and cognitive benefits.
- Psychological Benefits: Petting an animal can lower stress and anxiety levels while releasing endorphins that improve overall mood. The companionship can combat loneliness and depression, especially for residents who miss their own pets.
- Physical Benefits: Engaging with a therapy animal can provide gentle physical exercise. Stroking an animal can improve fine motor skills, while playing simple games can encourage movement and mobility. Studies have also shown that these interactions can help lower blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health.
- Social Benefits: Therapy animals act as a social lubricant, encouraging conversation and interaction between residents, staff, and volunteers. The animal becomes a natural conversation starter, helping to improve social skills and communication.
- Cognitive Benefits: For residents with cognitive decline, interaction with animals can stimulate memory and focus. The presence of an animal can prompt residents to recall memories of past pets, which can be a meaningful and stimulating exercise.
Therapy Animal vs. Service Animal
| Feature | Therapy Animal | Service Animal |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Provides comfort, affection, and emotional support to many people in settings like nursing homes, hospitals, and schools. | Individually trained to perform specific tasks for a single person with a disability (e.g., guide dogs for the blind). |
| Training | Evaluated and registered for temperament and suitability for public interaction but does not require specific task-based training. | Undergoes extensive, rigorous training to perform specific tasks directly related to the handler's disability. |
| Public Access | No public access rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Only allowed in facilities by invitation. | Full public access rights under the ADA, legally permitted to accompany their handler almost anywhere. |
| Handler | Typically accompanied by a volunteer handler who is often the animal's owner. | Accompanies a person with a disability, for whom the animal is trained to assist. |
The Importance of Ethical Practices
Volunteer handlers must ensure their animals are healthy, well-behaved, and up-to-date on vaccinations before participating in pet therapy. Organizations like Pet Partners and the Alliance of Therapy Dogs provide rigorous testing and registration to ensure the welfare of both the animals and the people they visit. This certification provides liability insurance and peace of mind for participating facilities. Ethical considerations also include ensuring that residents who do not want to interact with the animals are not forced to, and that the animals are given proper rest periods.
Conclusion
What do you call animals that visit nursing homes? The correct term is therapy animals, a broad category that encompasses various roles from casual visits to structured therapy. These compassionate visitors, and their dedicated handlers, provide invaluable emotional and physical benefits to residents. They serve as a powerful reminder of the deep connection between humans and animals and the significant impact this bond can have on well-being. For many, a simple visit from a loving animal can be the highlight of their day, bringing smiles, reducing stress, and fostering a sense of connection.
