Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) has become increasingly popular across the care home sector, adding an engaging dimension to residents’ lives. Traditionally, care farms have used AAT to support participants with learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorders. For example, Alderwood has implemented a desensitisation programme to help residents interact comfortably with dogs, while its equine project expands opportunities for engagement through horses.
In older people’s settings, pets such as dogs, miniature ponies, llamas, hens, and even pot-bellied pigs are used to provide companionship and stimulation. Recent advances, however, have shifted the focus from simple animal-human contact to using animals as a catalyst for building human relationships, both within care homes and in the wider community.
Initiatives like HenPower exemplify this approach, demonstrating notable benefits for older adults, including enhanced social interaction, mental wellbeing, and a sense of purpose. As care providers explore innovative ways to enrich daily life, AAT continues to be a valuable tool for promoting engagement, connection, and emotional support.
Article published in HealthInvestor, 2016. Read the article in full HERE…