Why Pet Therapy is Valuable for Seniors
Celebrating Dog Therapy Appreciation Day & National Pet Day
This spring, we’re celebrating pets! April 11 marks both National Pet Day and Dog Therapy Appreciation Day, and we are shining a light on some of the benefits of pet companionship and animal therapy for seniors.
Pets can help to reduce feelings of loneliness. As we grow older, feelings of loneliness can increase. As the lives of our friends and families shift around us, it’s normal to feel alone. Having a pet as a companion can seem daunting to undertake at first, but a furry friend to care for and play with can help to soothe the emotional toll brought on by isolation and loneliness. Pets can fulfill the desire to care for someone else, as well as provide emotional connection and support.
Having a beloved pet can help to relieve mental health symptoms related to depression and anxiety. Senior adults are at a higher risk of developing depression. This can be due to a number of varying factors including other chronic illnesses, decreased mobility, caregiving stress, loneliness, and financial hardship. Similarly, senior adults may also deal with symptoms of anxiety at heightened levels. According to a study published in 2024, pet therapy shows very promising results, significantly reducing the symptoms of depression and anxiety that elderly adults are facing. The study also concludes that pet therapy can enhance quality of life for seniors. *
Caring for a pet can help to restore a sense of purpose. As we get older, so do the people around us. Our children and grandchildren become more self-sufficient as they come into their own, and suddenly we find that we might be missing our sense of purpose as a parent or caregiver. When people stop needing us in the same ways as before, it can create a sense of lost identity. Having a pet of your own, or interacting with one regularly through pet therapy, is a wonderful way to find a renewed sense of purpose in this chapter of your life.
Engaging with a pet can improve motor skills. Things that might seem ordinary, like giving your cat a treat, or playing fetch with your dog, help to strengthen our fine and gross motor skills. Just like our muscles, when we get out of the routine of exercising our motor skills, those muscles can lose some of their strength.
Whether you have a furry pal of your own, or engage with one via pet therapy, the benefits speak for themselves. Interacting with a pet on a regular basis can significantly improve your quality of life, including mental and physical health, as well as your sense of joy!