Pet therapy a boon for the elderly

Pet therapy a boon for the elderly

ANJIRA ASSAVANON= DA

= uroj Opaspimoltham cuddles a labrad= or while visiting Kluaynamthai hospital's pet-th= erapy section. — ANJIRA ASSAVANONDA

Is an elderly me= mber of your family suffering from mild Alzheimer's, or experiencing weakened muscles without a clear medical reason? If so, getting them a pet might be = the best cure. Interaction with pets _ such as playing with them, touching them, feeding them or brushing their fur _ can have therapeutic benefits for old people, according to Nirut Amornkhanarat, chief of the physical and occupational therapy department at Kluaynamthai Geriatric Hospital<= /st1:PlaceType>.

Mr Nirut introduced ''pet therapy'' as an alternative treatment to an audience at Se= nior Happy Day 2007 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre.

He said most com= mon pets _ dogs, cats, rabbits, birds or fish_ can help elderly people with mus= cle problems or mild Alzheimer's, or stroke victims, in one way or another.

''Tossing a ball= for your dog to fetch exercises the arm muscles. Holding a ball in your palm, brushing a cat's fur, tickling its neck or stroking a rabbit can also impro= ve hand functions,'' he said.

Feeling or touch= ing pets does not only exercise the fingers, but can also revive patients' sensations and even lost memories in some cases.

''When an Alzhei= mer's patient touches the cat she has raised for years, it could remind her sligh= tly of something in the past,'' said Mr Nirut.

Carrying a cat i= n your arms helps strengthen the muscles, and letting a bird perch on a finger strengthens the wrist and finger joints. ''For a stroke patient who has blu= rred vision, tossing feed into a fish pond can help stimulate visual perception,= '' he said.

While the physic= al therapeutic effects of pet therapy may not be remarkable, emotional healing= is more important. Pets can lift patients' spirits, and they don't feel as if = they are being forced into therapy because it involves the pets they love. =

He gave an examp= le of a granny sitting on a chair, who had to bend over to feed a rabbit in a cag= e. That simple gesture helped to exercise her back and her fingers.

Klauynamthai Hospital has used pet therapy for nearly fi= ve years. The treatment must be alongside appropriate physical, medical and occupational therapies which are decided by the hospital's multi-disciplina= ry team.

''We advise pati= ents to choose the pets they like, so they'll be happy and eager to interact with them. For effective results, the therapy should be for at least half an hour daily,'' said Mr Nirut.

Suroj Opaspimoltham, 58, said pet therapy was part of a comprehensive treatment programme which helped him recover from paralysis. From being bedridden three years a= go, he can now walk, talk and move parts of his body. He still sees a doctor on= ce or twice a week, and continues with pet therapy at home. =

''I play with my poodle and cat, feeding and carrying them. Often I throw a ball to flex my = arms and the dog will bring it back. Playing with pets makes me feel at ease, for they never quarrel with me,'' said Mr Suroj.

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