Animals in the form of our beloved pets don’t discriminate between nice people and grumpy ones. They throw their joy at you like guests throw confetti at weddings, and when human hand makes contact with shaggy coat, an imperceptible chemical reaction happens. Relaxation, happiness and our inner child emerges. The grumpy face disappears, or at the very least, it fades. Of particular importance is the effect pets can have on someone who can’t interact with the world normally anymore or are experiencing profound loneliness and isolation, such as during prolonged illness or old age.

Pets are medicine for the soul.

Pets are medicine, and were meant to be. They have such a valuable role that I think we would all be amazed if we actually made a list in which dogs for one, are used to help humans in their times of need.
Several organizations exist in Australia, which specifically send out dog teams to make people feel better. One called Delta Society states:

“Delta Therapy dog teams have encouraged residents to leave the confines of their rooms for the first time in months, to extend their hand post stroke or surgery , to walk, to talk, to smile, to laugh, to remember, to forget, and to reminisce about their own animals.’

What the evidence says:

There are documented psychological and physical benefits from the effects of interaction with pets. Reducing loneliness and feelings of stress are immediate effects, whether you are unwell or not. Even in places of sadness and imminent death like a hospice, a friendly dog will transform the atmosphere like nothing else can.

We have two dogs, polar opposites in personality. Molly is our labradoodle, the eternally sweet natured darling who greets the tourists on the main street of Hahndorf where we live, smooching her way into numerous holiday snaps. Jack on the other hand is our Jack Russell, who we inherited from a dear friend’s father when he passed away. He is naughty, exuberant and cheeky. We have laughed so much at his antics since we got him, that his indiscretions are somehow tolerated, and there are quite a few.

Whenever I take our dogs to visit Mum in the Nursing Home, one by one the resident’s faces light up, they stoop down to pat them, and the sad lined faces change with their smiles. Their whole energy changes.
Jack tears ahead dragging on his leash, Molly trots along happily until both recognize Mum’s room. Even though Jack has cocked his leg and peed on Mum’s nice recliner on the last visit, I would still take him in, because he just makes everyone so happy. (except me cleaning the chair!)

Animals provide a therapy of their own.

Watching how Mum changes when she sees the dogs, and the overwhelmingly positive reactions of other residents to them, shows me why there is a need for groups like the Delta Society. People need animals at this time of their lives. Research into this area has revealed that patients report less pain, feel more inclined to interact and generally feel more well. More than this, animals change a clinical environment into something more homely.

At the moment our hospital is enjoying the visits of a local cat. It has various names depending on which area has befriended it, and I’m sure her owner would be less than happy to know that her cat is meowing at the Emergency Department door at dinner time, nibbling on tuna from the Director of Nursing for lunch, and having desert with the security staff later on. This little animal has inspired smiles and comments from patients, staff and ambulance officers – all delighted by the strange juxtaposition of a pet tabby cat with a large clinical hospital. The last time I saw her, she was inquisitively wandering around next to an ambulance stretcher, watching the patient being loaded into the vehicle. The patient was smiling, the paramedics were saying:
‘That’s so weird…’ as they chatted to the cat.

Animals can break down the barriers.

Animals cut across the walls humans place around themselves everywhere. They jump over our emotional hurdles and pull us into the lifeboat when we’re drowning in miserableness.

If you don’t have access to one of these delightful creatures, there are people who know you need them and have organized a way for them to come into your life, or the life of a loved one.

Find out more from these understanding people who can provide you with the soft and furry contact you’re looking for:

Delta Society (mentioned above): Adelaide Districts Therapy dogs Branch
Contact: Hayley Matthews
Mobile: 0421 851 383

Guide Dogs SA/NT don’t just provide dogs for the visually and hearing impaired, they also have trained ‘Pets as Therapy’ dogs:

guidedogs.org.au to fill in an on-line enquiry or ring 1800 757 738

Another one is Therapeutic Dog Services Inc.
Ph (08) 7226 0994

I hope you enjoy your next furry experience and perhaps also give thought to arranging for a visitor of the animal kind to cheer up someone you know who needs it.