Another Artilce about
Country Manor Pet Therapy....
Pet Therapy
..."Changing Sadness Into Smiles"
Mary Lou, a senior resident at Country Manor Pet Therapy did not like the heavy pain killers prescribed for her as they caused her not to be alert and made it hard for her to do things for herself. When her pain started to increase, she would become depressed. Staff at our facility began by handing her a baby bird, and watched as a smile would come to her face. Her pain sonn turned into love and her feelings were redirected towards the baby bird.
Linda has Alzheimer’s and the medicine does not always work to help her stay calm. Sometimes she becomes agitated and wants to go home. There is no home to go to, except in her mind as a 5-year-old little girl back on the family farm. Agitation could turn to anger. We decided to try a baby bird with her. Amazingly she calmed right down and redirected by cuddling, scratching and talking to the baby bird.
Many seniors get infrequent family visits at such facilities and feel abandoned. Some have even described feelings similar to those we all had as a child when our parents just didn’t understand, and there was no one to talk to except a pet or stuffed animal. At Country Manor (a.k.a. Board & Care) these seniors learn about parrots’ health, history, breeding, and proper care. Pet therapy can keep minds active and is something to do besides just watching TV and playing Bingo. It can come in many forms, and with all types of pets, and for many people who are somehow ill or disabled.
Country Manor Pet Therapy is a place where seniors and baby parrots learn, love, and help each other grow older together. The babies become sweet and well socialized from the elderly residents handling them. Some of the birds learn to talk early because of this interaction.
Find out more about pet therapy in your community. It can change sadness into smiles.
Article by David Christensen of Country Manor Pet Therapy. For more information on our Residential care facility go to our web-sites at http://daddieo.homestead.com and http://countrymanor.homestead.com
