HABRI Central

There are approximately 5.3 million Americans suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, and millions more with some other form of dementia. New advancements are being made every year in the medical field to treat these conditions medically, but there are also studies behind a new form of treatment that supports the perks a “doctor” of the four-legged kind provides.
Service dogs have long been used to help humans with disabilities ranging from blindness, deafness, and even post-traumatic stress disorder. There is an International Assistance Dog Week to celebrate the work of these devoted animals. And now the emotional and physical benefits of pet ownership are being demonstrated in a new way by helping people who need the comfort and support of a furry friend at a critical turning point in their lives, specifically those who suffer from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

Researchers should cite this work as follows:

1. Alzheimer disease
2. Animal-assisted therapies
3. Assistance animals
4. Assisted living facilities
5. Dementia
6. Disabilities
7. Dogs
8. Long-term care facilities
9. Mammals
10. Nursing homes
11. Older adults