What is Pet Therapy?
Pet Therapy is a term used to describe the use of companion animals in various clinical, therapeutic and remedial situations.
Pets have been shown to benefit our health and well-being. Pet Therapy is being used worldwide to great effect in Nursing Homes, Long Stay Hospitals, Hospices, Mental & Physically Impaired Facilities, Day Care Centres, Special Needs Schools. Peata introduced this medically supported service to Ireland in 1996.
Experience has shown that pets are a boost to patients, residents and staff’s well-being and help to create a more homely atmosphere in Caring Units.
It is difficult to keep pets full time in these units but Peata Therapy Dogs with their friendly voluntary teams provide this service to ensure everyone benefits from Pet Therapy.
To obtain optimum benefit, Peata schemes are developed and carried out with thorough planning and preparation.
Benefits of Pet Therapy:
- Help combat isolation, withdrawal, loneliness, boredom & depression when people are away from home
- Break down barriers & ease interaction between patients, staff & visitors
- Is non- judgemental and happy to visit everyone
- The comfort that hands-on physical contact with a dog can bring
- Help reduce stressful situations
- Assist staff & caring professionals to relax and interact with their clients
