The effects of a ‘pets as therapy’ dog on persons with dementia in a psychiatric ward |
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Authors: | Paul G Walsh Peter G Mertin Don F Verlander Cris F Pollard |
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Abstract: | A pets as therapy (PAT) programme was initiated in a closed ward of a major psychiatric hospital. The effect of regular contact with a dog on a selected group of chronic ward-bound patients suffering from dementia was assessed over a 12 week period using a number of measures. These included global measures of daily functioning, physiological measures (blood pressure and heart rate) and a measure of general ward noise levels. A matched group from a similar closed ward was used as a control. Results indicated significant experimental group changes in heart rate and a substantial drop in noise levels in the experimental ward during the presence of the dog. |
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Keywords: | dementia noise pets as therapy (PAT) physiology psychiatry |
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