Benefits of Pet Therapy in a Care Home
Pet therapy, also known as animal-assisted therapy, is increasingly recognised for its positive effects on both mental and physical health. For residents in care homes and nursing homes, spending time with therapy animals can significantly improve their mental well-being, social interaction, and physical activity.
While some individuals may have initial resistance to the idea of therapy animals, research shows that human-animal interactions offer significantly greater health benefits than many other approaches. In this blog, we explore how pet therapy enhances the quality of life for care home residents and why it is a common favourite within the weekly activities programme.
The Mental Health Benefits of Pet Therapy
Loneliness and isolation are common challenges for older adults, especially those who are just transitioning into a care home or living with dementia. Studies show that therapy dogs and other resident animals provide a sense of comfort and companionship, reducing feelings of isolation, boosting self-esteem and easing the overall process of moving into a new home.
Pet therapy also encourages social interaction. Many residents find it easier to engage in social situations when an animal is present, as pets can act as a bridge between people and are a great way to start a conversation or share a life story. For those who struggle with communication or have long-term conditions, human-animal interactions provide an alternative way to express emotions and connect with others.
Physical Health Benefits: More Than Just Comfort
The benefits of animal-assisted therapy go beyond emotional support. Regular exercise and physical activity are essential for maintaining physical health, and therapy animals help encourage movement for care home residents. Activities such as walking a dog, grooming a horse, or playing with alpacas or guinea pigs can improve motor skills and coordination.
Animal-assisted interventions have also been linked to improved cardiovascular health. Research shows that spending time with therapy animals can help lower blood pressure, reduce heart rate, and decrease the production of stress hormones. This is particularly important for older adults, who are at greater risk of heart disease and high blood pressure.
How Pet Therapy Benefits Those With Mental Health Conditions
Many residents in care homes live with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, or dementia. While traditional treatment options such as medication and around-the-clock care are effective, adding animal therapy can provide additional support.
The presence of a therapy animal can create a safe and non-judgmental space for residents to express their feelings. This is particularly beneficial for those who are starting their care journey, as interacting with a gentle, loving animal can help build trust and new relationships with staff and other residents.
Encouraging Social Interaction and Group Activities
One of the best aspects of pet therapy is the way it brings people together. Animals naturally spark conversations, helping residents connect with carers in a relaxed, enjoyable setting. Therapy sessions can be incorporated into group activities, making them even more engaging. Residents may take turns offering treats, brushing therapy dogs, watching how the animal responds to different commands or simply learning about their lifestyle and habits. These shared moments create opportunities for laughter, storytelling, and companionship, helping to build friendships and boost self-esteem.
In many care homes in Croydon, animal-assisted therapy is a valued part of a varied activities programme, alongside arts and crafts, gentle exercise, and social events. Therapy sessions can be adapted to suit different abilities, ensuring that everyone can participate in a way that feels comfortable for them. Whether a resident prefers to sit back and observe or enjoys hands-on interaction, pet therapy offers an accessible and enriching experience that adds warmth and variety to daily life.
Types of Animals Used in Pet Therapy
When people think of pet therapy, therapy dogs are often the first animals that come to mind. However, many other animals can be used in animal-assisted therapy, each offering unique benefits.
- Dogs – Therapy dogs are commonly used in canine-assisted psychotherapy and general animal-assisted interventions. Their friendly nature, trainability, and strong bond with humans make them ideal companions for reducing anxiety and encouraging social interaction.
- Alpacas – The soft fleece and calm temperament of alpacas make them particularly well-suited for therapy sessions, providing a soothing sensory experience that can help reduce stress and promote mental well-being.
- Guinea pigs and rabbits – These small animals are great for therapy sessions where residents might struggle with mobility or feel intimidated by larger animals. Gentle handling of guinea pigs or rabbits can improve motor skills and allow them to engage a number of their senses.
- Horses – Equine-assisted therapy is widely recognised for its benefits in mental health treatment, especially for conditions like autism, dementia and anxiety. Shetland ponies are both adorable and a perfect size to use when visiting care homes.
- Birds – The presence of birds including budgies, blue tits or owls, can be uplifting and engaging for residents. Their song can provide a calming background sound which is a great conversation starter and a great way to relax whilst interacting with animals.
The key to successful pet therapy is choosing animals that match the needs and preferences of residents, ensuring that interactions are both safe and enjoyable.
Incorporating Pet Therapy Into Our Activities Programme at Haling Park Care Home
At Haling Park Care Home in South Croydon, we believe that every resident should have access to meaningful activities that enrich their daily lives, promote mental well-being, and foster a sense of connection. A common favourite in our weekly calendar is pet therapy, which brings joy, companionship, and a wealth of emotional and physical benefits.
From easing stress and soothing chronic pain to encouraging social interaction and boosting self-esteem, spending time with animals can be truly transformative. These benefits are not only transformation for our residents experience first-hand but heartwarming for our team to see. Our residents are all unique and each has different favourite animals, so we regularly invite dogs, horses, alpacas, rabbits and other animals to Haling Park.
We have adopted a person-centred approach to care and part of this includes doing pet therapy throughout our activities programme alongside arts and crafts, baking, gardening, sensory activities and trips into the local community. Every resident is supported to take part in a way that suits them and they can opt in or out to activities whenever they wish.
At Haling Park Care Home, we are dedicated to creating a warm, stimulating, and inclusive environment where residents feel valued, connected, and fulfilled alongside our exceptional Residential Care, Dementia Care, Nursing Care, Respite Care and Palliative Care. Our experienced activities coordinators ensure that each day is filled with opportunities for joy, companionship, and new experiences, whether through animal-assisted therapy, group activities, or one-to-one moments of engagement.
To learn more about how pet therapy and our wider activities programme support the well-being of our residents, contact our friendly team today to arrange a visit. We can't wait to meet you!
