Owning a pet is the lot of millions of French people and the benefits of an animal on humans is well established. For seniors and the elderly in general, these companions represent many advantages because, in addition to a simple presence that fills the loneliness, the animals maintain strong bonds with these people and greatly improve their day-to-day well-being. , especially for dependent or isolated elderly people. Zootherapy is used as a therapeutic method that relies on pets by using them as mediators with the aim of improving the physical, cognitive, emotional, etc. capacities of the elderly.
Zootherapy, sometimes also called animal mediation or animal-assisted therapy, is an alternative medicine that appeared recently in France but which is in full development, particularly in retirement homes or specialized establishments for the elderly. This is a therapeutic method practiced by a professional health or social worker (a zootherapist) who uses pets (most often dogs even if cats, rabbits, birds, horses , etc., can be used) to establish a link, arouse reactions, or even improve the well-being of vulnerable people including the elderly, and in particular those with a disability, Alzheimer's disease or psychomotor problems.
While it is sometimes difficult for relatives or caregivers to come into contact with dependent or isolated seniors in particular, the latter have an easier relationship with a pet to whom they will immediately turn. Thus, to be able to interact with these elderly people, animal therapy uses dogs in particular, which then become real mediators. They help seniors to express and verbalize their feelings or their anxieties, for example. These pets can also act as mirrors for people treated by zootherapy. The behavior of animals can indeed transcribe the mental state of seniors, in particular those with a loss of autonomy or affected by memory or mental disorders, for example.
The powerful links that exist between humans and pets allow zootherapy to better interact with the elderly to improve their well-being, both physical and mental.
Thanks to zootherapy, positive results are obtained in particular in terms of motor skills for the elderly. Indeed, a simple brushing of a dog carried out by the senior, caresses, or even walks allow him to get moving without thinking about it, and therefore without fear. This is why a pet therapy worker can offer seniors courses with small obstacles, or slaloms, which he performs with the pet present during the session to work on his landmarks in space, on the coordination of his movements, etc.
To restore confidence and make dependent or sick seniors responsible in particular, zootherapy is also a good way. The sessions of this alternative medicine can have the objective of the elderly person taking care of the care of the pet or teaching it to obey its orders. This method helps seniors to feel useful first, but also to regain self-confidence through mastery of the animal.
An elderly person who regularly follows pet therapy sessions will have to remember the name of the dog (for example) that he sees regularly, remember his last encounters with him, etc., and thus be forced to work on his memory, without really feel like you're trying hard.
Pet therapy also has the virtue of reducing the stress and anxiety that some elderly people may feel, especially those who live in specialized establishments and who have lost their bearings. The presence of an animal is usually enough to soothe them, to bring them a moment of joy punctuated by friendly and sincere exchanges.
