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1: J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv. 1999 Apr;37(4):16-22.Links

Using a therapy dog to alleviate the agitation and desocialization of people with Alzheimer's disease.

Churchill M, Safaoui J, McCabe BW, Baun MM.

University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Nursing, Omaha 68198-5330, USA.

1. Short-term exposure to a therapy dog can reduce the number of agitation behaviors in institutionalized persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD), particularly during the period of agitation known as sundown syndrome. 2. The presence of a therapy dog can increase socialization behaviors among a group of persons with AD. 3. A therapy dog can be used as an adjunct to other calming interventions for persons with AD.

PMID: 10218187 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]