A dog’s presence is somehow therapeutic, especially for older people. Researchers said that because of the lively personality of dogs, these animals could help some aspects of human health, especially those related to mental health.
Senior residents from the Heritage Hill Senior Community greatly benefited from a therapy dog. The dog would visit the residents at least thrice a week. They named the pooch Mikey and most of the residents in the shelter like the pooch because of the dog’s happy personality.
While the dog is not yet a full-fledged therapy dog, Mikey accomplishes the job like a real therapy dog. According to the staff of the shelter, the dog’s mere presence is already helpful to some residents. Most of the seniors living in the Heritage Hill Senior Community suffer from Alzheimer’s disease.
Mikey comes to work with his human, Sara Kahr. Kahr serves as the memory care director of the center. Whenever Mikey goes to work, everyone in the shelter feels so excited. It was Kahr who stressed that Mikey is of great help to these senior citizens.
Although some of the senior citizens do not recall the name of the dog because of their condition, they are happy with Mikey’s presence. As soon as Mikey begins his work, the senior citizens are all wearing their sweet smiles.
The dog would go around the center and play with the residents there. At times, the pooch would go near a resident and start to ask for hugs and kisses from that resident. Other residents, meanwhile, enjoy petting the pooch and rubbing the dog’s belly.
But more than these simple gestures, the residents likewise go on a walk with the dog from time to time. According to Kahr, this is a win-win activity for both parties. The dog and the senior residents get to exercise by walking.
Credits to Heritage Hill Senior Community.
