Wednesday, November 29, 2017 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
19
PAW PRINTS
Health benefi ts of animal
therapy for older adults
By Jodi Schneider McNamee, Columnist
Anyone who has ever stroked a dog’s soft
ears or felt the gentle rumble of a cat’s purr
knows the calming feeling an animal can offer
Animals offer companionship and uncon-
ditional love. They also have the ability to
improve health and general well-being, espe-
cially in the older adult population.
The most serious problem for older adults
is not disease; it’s loneliness — especially dur-
ing the holidays. Elderly people, especially
those living in residential care facilities, are
at a higher risk for developing depression. For
these reasons, more and more often animals
are being utilized for therapeutic purposes at
senior facilities. Therapy animals are used to
promote health and healing for seniors of any
age range or health condition, whether they
are depressed, chronically ill or have ongoing
disabilities.
Seniors suffer from depression, usually as a
result of loneliness or isolation, either because
friends and family members cannot visit on a
regular basis, or they aren’t as active as they
previously were. Or perhaps a loving spouse
has passed away. Contact with therapy ani-
mals can bring some withdrawn seniors out
of their shells, making them happier and more
communicative.
Pet therapy for seniors, also known as ani-
mal assisted therapy, is a technique that uses
animals to interact with seniors for numerous
reasons to help improve their quality of life.
Studies show that just 15 minutes spent bond-
ing with an animal promotes hormonal changes
within the brain. Stress levels drop as the brain
produces serotonin (the “feel-good” hormone),
along with prolactin and oxytocin.
Therapy animals and their handlers can
make a resident come alive, bringing joy and
laughter with every visit.
Dr. Michael McCulloch, a Portland psy-
chiatrist, and Dr. Samuel Corson, of Ohio State
University, are two active researchers and
experts on why pets excel as therapeutic agents.
According to McCulloch, “Touch is one of
our primary needs when we’re born and one
of our last needs to go.” In long-term facilities,
residents are often lacking the feeling that they
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Open House
PHOTO BY JODI SCHNEIDER MCNAMEE
Griffin the therapy dog at the Sisters Christmas Parade.
are needed. Pets allow them, even if for a short
time, to be nurturers once again.
Pet therapy’s benefits on physical health are
abundant.
“We know from studies that interacting with
pets can have a more direct influence on your
health, from lowering your blood pressure and
increasing levels of serotonin to helping you
get more exercise,” said Dr. Patricia McConnel,
animal behaviorist and author of “For the Love
of a Dog: Understanding Emotion in You and
Your Best Friend.”
Studies show that interacting with a dog or
other animal releases the anti-stress, calming
hormone oxytocin in animals and humans.
Pioneering South African researchers
Johannes Odendaal and Roy Meintjes first
demonstrated the reciprocal release of endor-
phins (oxytocin and dopamine) in studies they
conducted with humans and dogs in 2003.
Petting dogs also results in decreased levels of
the primary stress hormone cortisol.
And Swedish researcher Linda Handlin
demonstrated that when women interacted
with their dogs, the oxytocin-promoting bond-
ing was similar to that produced when mothers
breastfed their newborns.
Having an animal in a senior’s life can help
improve their well-being and give new meaning
to their life. Due to the numerous health benefits
therapy animals provide, assisted-living facili-
ties usually include pet-therapy in their regular
senior-care programs. Being around animals
makes people feel better, healthier, and happier.
Canyon Creek Pott ery
If buying local — and handmade — means some-
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For 15 years, Ken Merrill has been at work in his
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Come to Canyon Creek for beautiful, handmade…
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Ken has been a potter since 1983 and opened his pottery studio in Sisters in 1998.
He has won renown for his beautiful, functional handmade pottery. Each piece is hand-
thrown on a potter’s wheel then fired in a kiln to 2,400 degrees where it becomes stoneware.
All of Ken’s pottery is made of the finest clays available and makes a gift that gives each time
it is used.
Sunday, December 3 • 2-4 p.m.
Please join us for our 7th annual
Customer Appreciation Event
Hot Buttered Rum • Wine & Snacks
Drawing every 10 minutes with chance
to win a trip for two to Palm Desert Resort & Spa
Product Demos/Samples • 10% discount on any purchase
Holiday y Gift Packs & Gift Certifi cates Available
Karen Keady, NCEA Certifi ed Esthetician
541-480-1412 • 492 E. Main Ave.
Monday-Saturday Flexible Hours | www.SistersEssentials.com
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Canyon Creek
Pottery
541-390-2449
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Visit our website at
CanyonCreekPotteryLLC.com
310 N. Cedar St.