Pets have the power to heal! Research shows that pet parenting can help prevent loneliness, relieve stress, lower blood pressure, and alleviate anxiety. Caring for a pet provides purpose and helps a person feel needed. They give unconditional love, companionship, and a sense of security for those living alone.
Dogs in particular can help combat isolation and improve socialization. Dog walking promotes moderate daily exercise and opportunities to socialize with neighbors and other dog parents. Cats as companions can often reduce anxiety further as they do not require as much maintenance, making them ideal emotional support animals.
Pet care may not come to mind when considering home health, home care, or hospice, but these agencies specialize in personalized care plans that often include caring for beloved pets along with their human parents.
Medical providers are also getting on board with the healing power of pets by embracing Pet therapy. It is a growing practice at hospitals and skilled nursing facilities across the country. Pet therapy uses dogs and other domesticated animals to help lower anxiety, facilitate healing, and relieve separation anxiety for patients suffering from severe physical or mental illness.
Pet Therapy can relieve anxiety and depression for:
Chemotherapy recipients
Long-term care residents
Dementia patients
PTSD sufferers
Children undergoing medical procedures
Therapy animals also lift the spirits of hospice patients. A visit from a happy dog can transform a hospice patient from despondence to delight, and they can be an incredible comfort to a grieving family, especially children.
Home health and hospice provide benefits far beyond the convenience of receiving quality health care in the comfort of home, they keep families together. Most people would prefer to have their pet by their side when recovering from surgery or while battling a chronic illness. Choosing home health, home care, or hospice can help make that a reality. Many of these agencies offer pet care services as part of their routine caregiving.
Promote the healing power of home in your home health, home care, and hospice marketing. TAG partners offers a variety of personalized print media to assist your agency in delivering that message. Visit TAGwebstore.com or call us at 866-232-6477 for marketing assistance.