For those who love pets, the joy of simply being close to them is well understood. Therefore, it is not surprising that pet therapy services for elderly individuals facing loneliness and depression, cancer patients, those with dementia, and individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and other stress-related conditions have proven to be highly effective.

         Research studies have long reported that pet ownership, whether it be dogs, cats, birds, or fish, can genuinely help in healing patients. Many elderly individuals in communities are seeking ways to maintain their mental and physical health as they age. A common suggestion has always been to encourage seniors to adopt pets to alleviate loneliness and prevent depression. While this advice is prevalent in popular culture, research findings remain unclear on whether pet ownership truly benefits the physical and mental health of the elderly. This study aims to scientifically confirm how pet ownership can prevent or treat depression.

         Depression is classified as a burden of disease, as studied and predicted by the World Health Organization and Harvard University, which indicated that by 2020, depression would be the second leading burden of disease after cardiovascular issues. The economic impact of this condition poses a significant burden on national development, as patients of any age suffering from this illness can experience severe medical, social, and financial repercussions. For those who endure this condition, including caregivers, numerous studies have identified it as a comorbid medical condition that can reduce life expectancy and lead to other physical complications associated with untreated depression, especially among the elderly. This results in indirect financial costs to society, while personal suffering can hinder normal living, leading to chronic physical illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension, significantly affecting lost productivity and the economic output of the country.

         A study by E. Paul Chemiack and colleagues from the Institute for Aging at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Florida, published in the journal Current Gerontol Geriatric Research in 2014, aimed to measure the effectiveness of treating depression and psychosis using pet therapy. It is well-known that pets can significantly improve mental health conditions such as loneliness and social isolation among the elderly. However, no study has scientifically confirmed the extent of their therapeutic benefits. This study examines the effects of pets on the health of individuals. Nevertheless, the physical risks associated with animal-related diseases have not been overlooked, and experts caution that pet ownership and therapy should be conducted under specific conditions, which may not represent a perfect study method.


          The results of the pet therapy study involved 144 elderly individuals with emotional issues, divided into control groups and assessed using psychological evaluation tools. It was found that the group receiving pet therapy had significantly better psychological symptom scores than the group that did not receive therapy. Among the 28 patients diagnosed with depression who were evaluated, there was a noticeable reduction in depressive symptoms. Meanwhile, over 20 patients with psychosis who received therapy with dogs and cats for three hours a week, including bathing, feeding, and grooming, showed significant improvements in their social functioning.
         
          In the United States, there are over 50,000 pet therapy services, and this type of service is gaining popularity in many countries, from the northern to the southern hemispheres, such as Norway to Brazil. Therapeutic pets, such as dogs, undergo training and receive official certification from reputable organizations before being sent to hospitals or various centers.

          Previous research has indicated that dogs can indeed help heal patients, but no one has ever considered how the dogs themselves feel about their roles. Therefore, a group of scientists sought to find answers, and the results brought reassurance to the service. Recent research published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science indicates that therapy dogs do not feel stressed from their work; in some cases, they even feel happy. This research was based on data collected from over 100 patients and 26 therapy dogs, as reported by Amy McCullough, the lead researcher and director of research and therapy at American Humane in Washington, D.C.


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