Benefits of Pet Therapy

At White House, we are always finding new ways to provide the best care for our residents, including looking at innovative therapies such as pet therapy. The many proven mental and physical benefits of this kind of therapy helps to ensure that our residents’ needs are being met on a continuous basis. Our residents love to pet, hold and care for our therapy dogs Toby (a Yorkshire Terrier) and Lily (a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) – just look at their smiles! In turn, Toby and Lily love the attention and affection that our residents give them! Lily is certified by The Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs, Inc. and usually visits every other Friday, while Toby has an extra special connection to White House – his owner, Maria, used
to work in the rehab department.

We’re not the only ones to notice the positive impact of having Toby and Lily around. Researchers have long touted the benefits of pet therapy. UCLA Health notes that the simple act of petting an animal releases hormones like serotonin, prolactin and oxytocin which are known to improve mood. Not only can animals like Toby and Lily help reduce anxiety and loneliness, they also increase mental stimulation, particularly assisting those with memory issues or sequencing temporal events that have been impacted by head injuries or diseases like Alzheimer’s. Staff and residents here at White House can attest to the fact that studies show the calming presence of an animal can also help to lower blood pressure, improve cardiovascular health, and provide relaxation during therapy. In some cases, pet therapy can even reduce overall pain.