Assisted Living

Dogs make people happy. They make people smile. Who doesn’t love to pet a dog or visit with a cute little puppy?!? But not only are they fun…they actually have shown to have some great benefits on the elderly.

Research has shown how beneficial pet therapy can be to the elderly, especially those who are living in a nursing home. Regular visits with pets, usually dogs, can have positive physical, emotional, and mental benefits. Physical benefits include lowering blood pressure, lowering heart rate, and reducing overall stress. Emotional benefits are reducing anxiety and depression, decreasing loneliness through increasing social interaction with the pets and their human companions. Consistent interaction with a pet has been shown to cause an increased release of serotonin and dopamine in the brain which can help calm and soothe a person’s body. Also there are mental benefits that are a result of increased mental stimulation, whether it’s talking to the pet directly, asking questions to the dog’s owner or talking with other residents about the dog. All of these things help to keep the brain active.

Many people who move to an assisted living facility must leave their dog behind. Residents often become sad and may even demonstrate some degree of depression over missing their pet. If dogs come to visit, it can help raise their spirits and give them a chance to tell stories about their dogs. It can help them forget (if even for a moment) any pain that they are experiencing, any sadness that they have, how much they miss their pet. It can help improve overall mood which can lead to increased motivation and participation in activities and social events.

Valencia Terrace                            Estancia Del Sol

2300 S Main St                               2489 California Avenue

Corona, CA 92882                          Corona, CA 92881