A study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine found that 98% of dog and cat owners spoke to their pets and 75% thought they were sensitive to their moods and emotions. A bit like in the case of prayer, the person seems to feel the intimacy of a contact and believes to feel heard and received¹. For the elderly, and especially those staying in long-term care homes, this benefit would be increased tenfold.². Some researchers even suggest that an older person’s attachment to their pet may be greater than their attachment to another person.⁴.

Animals also have the ability to facilitate contact and interactions. So, study results show that pets bring family members together⁵. It works with acquaintances but also with strangers. . During a study during a therapy session, the presence of an animal increased the verbal interaction between members of the group who did not know each other, and favored the installation of a pleasant atmosphere.⁶. This effect is particularly visible during dog walks.

Sources : Sources : Dossey L. The healing power of pets: a look at animal-assisted therapy. Altern Ther Health Med. 1997 Jul;3(4):8-16. Banks MR, Banks WA. The effects of animal-assisted therapy on loneliness in an elderly population in long-term care facilities. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2002;57(7):M428-32. Fick KM. The influence of an animal on social interactions of nursing home residents in a group setting. Am J Occup Ther. 1993;47(6):529-34. Cottrell, 1974, Peretti, P. O. (1990). Elderly-animal friendship bonds. Social Behavior and Personality, 18(1), 151-156. Cain AO. Pets and the family. Holist Nurs Pract 1991 Jan;5(2):58-63. Fick KM. The influence of an animal on social interactions of nursing home residents in a group setting. Am J Occup Ther. 1993;47(6):529-34.