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The Effects of Animal-Assisted Therapy on Parkinson’s Patients Can you imagine waking up, muscles rigid, balance lost, and speech unsteady? Can you imagine having a tremor the rest of your life, with no promising cure? How about losing facial expression, losing your personality, or losing the memories of your family? Parkinson’s disease is a serious concern with at least 500,000 victims in the United States. Every year 50,000 people are hit with this devastating diagnosis. The cause is merely a theory and there is currently no cure; so what are the patients left to do? They focus on treating the symptoms that are most bothersome to that individual with the disease. This may include medication or surgical therapy, neither of which is proven to slow to stop the progression of the disease. The most important things to do are to learn to pace oneself and make timely use of physical and emotional therapies. The patients must remember to enjoy life and maintain independence. One of the best ways to do this is through animal-assisted therapy (AAT). AAT is designed to improve the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive functioning of the patient, as well as provide educational and motivational effectiveness for participants. Animal-assisted therapy works to heal patients with Parkinson’s, and is continually developing

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that often impairs the patient’s motor skills and speech. It is characterized by muscle rigidity, tremor, and a slowing of physical movement. To slow this process, the patient must remain active. However, it is often dangerous for the patient to perform heavy tasks. They need alternative methods to stay active, without risking further harm to them. Animal-assisted therapy is designed to improve the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive functioning of the patient, as well as provide educational and motivational effectiveness for participants. Without liveliness or encouragement, such as the energy from the pets, it is incredibly difficult for the patients to stay motivated to continue, since they know there is no turning around.

PD is part of a group of conditions called motor system disorders. As these symptoms worsen, patients have difficulty walking, talking, and completing simple tasks. PD typically affects people over the age of 50. It is not uncommon for patients to become depressed or undergo emotional changes. The disease is diagnosed based on a neurological examination, rather than a blood test or something else that is clear-cut. Because of this, the disease can be difficult to diagnose accurately. As stated, there is no cure for PD, so patients take many medications simply to slow the progression of the symptoms.

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is the addition of an animal in a treatment plan. Pets are a common calmer in many homes across the world. We take care of them and they take care of us. Medical practitioners, veterinarians, health care professionals and others in many different fields are using this unique human-animal bond for its potential therapeutic value. Many people have wonderful memories of pets, after living a whole life with an affectionate companion following you at your side. Many abilities to form healthy relationships could have stemmed from our experiences with pets. Pets may also teach children (or re-teach senior citizens) the responsibilities of daily life as well as compassion.

Used as a form of therapy, animals have been proven to provide positive outcomes to their patients. It is most beneficial when it is “delivered and/or directed by a health or human service provider working within the scope of his/her profession” (Janssen). Animal-assisted therapy improved people physically, socially, emotionally, and cognitively. Further explanation will be provided later. This form of therapy can be used on people of all ages. The specialist designs specific goals to meet individual client needs. This may be a need for a new outlet for fitness, to cure loneliness, to reverse depression, to instill a sense of safety, or to teach responsibility. There are an infinite number of possibilities.

Animals have been proven to aid patients suffering for loneliness and depression. They add a sense of safety and protection. They force the patient to have a sense of order and a daily ritual. Just having a being to take care of and love can be incredibly therapeutic for many patients. Some may even compare their own troubles to that of the pet, putting their own life in perspective. Pets are non-judgmental companions. They are always available to comfort and bring light to a dark day. There are no questions asked: unconditional love. As Robert Fagen, of the University of Pennsylvania says, “Perhaps the most important health-related aspect of the human-animal relationship is play. Animals that play are healthier and frequently live longer than those that don't. I would be willing to bet that interacting with an animal makes a person more sensitive in relationships with other human.” This love, joy, and playfulness can instill a sense of trust and self-esteem in the patient. “Dogs permit their owners to be themselves so that they can risk self-disclosure and form attachments” (Judy Harris).

Pets force us to slow down, step back, and enjoy the simplistic nature of life. Everyone is busy nowadays and this fast-paced blur rushes us strait into a nursing home. Having a pet to take care up and come home to every day keeps someone young. Many times, domesticated animals who simply love to be around you reduce anxiety. With their juvenile attributes, they can relax the patient, allowing them to forget the stresses and frustrations from the day. A tight bond grows very quickly and never dissolves. This is true across the board – anyone can benefit from the love and companionship of a pet.

Physically, animal-assisted therapy can be incredibly beneficial. Most commonly, work with therapy pets can increase mobility, lower blood pressure, reduce physical effects of stress, assist in the recollection of memories, and teach motor skills. More specifically, AAT can increase the brain chemicals serotonin and dopamine, which affect our attitudes and make us feel better. The most basic and common help that AAT offers is the improvement of motor skills, increased range of motion, balance, and mobility. These encompass everything from the ability to use small objects, move an object from one hand to the other, and many hand-eye coordination moves. All refer to the development of skills involving the smaller muscle groups. On a larger scale, after a greater amount of time, AAT lowers blood pressure, reduces risk for stroke or heart attack, and decrease depression.

Aside from the physical aspects, there are an innumerable amount of emotional benefits. In almost all studied cases, there was a decrease in loneliness and social withdrawal within the patients. “The psychology behind the human companion animal bond is based primarily on three fundamental principles: 1) all people need to love and be loved; 2) all people need to feel worthwhile; and 3) pets can fulfill these needs” (Ormerod). The mere presence of a pet has therapeutic effects. The patients who are typically benefited the most are those that have history of responsibility and attachment to pets, usually beginning in childhood. “A single, 30-minute session of AAT per week for 6 weeks significantly reduced loneliness” (Ormerod). Having a positive outlet in their lives rekindle, improves mental health, without a doubt. Having a pet by your side, it has been document that you will smile and laugh more. This is calming to both you and the people around you. We benefit simply from taking the time to reach outside ourselves and the worries of everyday life to care for, and appreciate the living things around us.

Having the possibility of reaping these benefits is crucial in many Parkinson’s patients. “Animal-assisted therapy offers promise as a psychosocial intervention for people with dementia” (Filan). In these patients, who are already receiving hours upon hours of therapeutic treatment, AAT allows these processes to proceed more effectively and quickly. “Patients with dementia were found to behave more normally and to eat better in the presence of animals” (Ormerod). The presence of a therapy dog visiting with residents increased socialization for participants with dementia. Friendship and unconditional love and affection, which are shared between both the patient and the animal, are critical in the recovery of the patient. Often, these patients become depressed very quickly because they feel they are losing the closeness of their family. Having a pet around can increase feelings of happiness, security, and self-worth. It has been shown that pets reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation on a daily basis and during separations or transitions. “Pets have a place in our intrinsic desire for close and caring affectionate bonds with others” (Paladino).