"Paws & Hearts"

...Community programs that bring animals and people together for companionship and therapy began in the 1970s, and are growing rapidly. The introduction of animals into the patients' environment is a way of humanizing health care. This is becoming increasing important because the more that high technology is introduced into society, the greater the need for "high touch." Naisbitt, 1982.

...Among seniors, pet therapy

  • Diminishes emotional pain
  • Diminishes physical pain
  • Reduces boredom
  • Reduces anxiety, and
  • Makes people happy
"Nutmeg" visits residents at Vista Cove every Wednesday afternoon where she has been volunteering for five years now.  "Nutmeg" and her Mom, Mary Carol are treasured visitors to the residents at this Alzheimer's facility.
....Seniors who own dogs go to the doctor less often than those who don't. In a study of 100 Medicare patients, even the most highly stressed dog owners had a 21 percent lower level of physician contact than non-owners.

....Medication costs dropped from an average of $3.80 per patient per day to $1.18 per patient per day when nursing homes allowed for pets to be introduced into patient's environments. Nursing homes in New York, Missouri and Texas were all used in the study.

...Among kids that are in
...homeless shelters or
...institutionalized, pet therapy
...teaches

  • Gentleness
  • Caring
  • Responsibility
  • How to interact safely with a pet, and most importantly,
  • Allows them to love a pet
Waylon visiting the kids each week at Martha's Village
& Kitchen.
....Children exposed to educational programs on the humane treatment of animals display enhanced empathy for humans compared with children not exposed
to such programs.

...."Since the hospital began a canine program early last year, patients have credited the dogs with improving their moods and motivating them to recover faster. Dogs give patients something to take their minds off the enormity of their problems." Ladies Home Journal, 12/01.

..."With the kids who are medically fragile, they're often tense. But sometimes when they pet dogs, their hands and indeed, entire bodies relax, open up, and their breathing slows down. Overall, they become more physically and emotionally relaxed." Dogs in Canada Magazine, 2/02.

..."Researchers found even one 30-minute long session of animal assisted therapy reduced loneliness to a statistically significant degree." Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences, 7/02.

..."Community programs that bring animals and people together for companionship and therapy began in the 1970s, and are growing rapidly. The introduction of animals into the patients environment is a way of humanizing health care. This is becoming increasing important because the more that high technology is introduced into society, the greater the need for "high touch." Naisbitt, 1982.

...Pets provide internal chemical therapeutics for people.

... Tests show that within minutes of petting a dog, the humans and dogs alike experience massive release
of such beneficial hormones
as prolactin, oxytocin and phenylethylamine.
The smiles on all the faces are testament that Animal Assisted Therapy really works!
..."Paws & Hearts" pet therapy reduces emotional, physical pain, boredom, anxiety, makes seniors happy, teaches kids in shelters, institutions, gentleness, responsibility, safe pet contact & allows kids to love pets.
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"Paws & Hearts"
74-854 Velie Way, Suite 7, Palm Desert, CA 92260
Phone (760) 836-1406 Fax (760) 836-1426