At Clapp's Nursing Center, pets are no strangers to our residents or staff. We have a chihuahua named Princess, shown here, and a recent addition to the family, a yorkie named Tucker. From time to time other members of our staff bring their pets in to visit the residents. We are blessed with a black lab named Luke who comes twice a month to visit the residents and a boxer named Dixie who also provides pet therapy visits once every two to three months. All these visiting pets are fabulous but they cannot replace the feeling that comes from holding and loving on your own pet. At Clapp's we encourage families to bring in their loved ones pets. Our requirements are that the pet be on a leash, house trained and a copy of the pets most recent rabies vaccination is given to the Activity Director. Some times families are concerned their loved ones pet may act inappropriate and scratch their loved one. This is a legitimate concern and caution should be taken but often the pet is just as relieved to see their owner is okay as their owner is to see they are okay. The act of petting a dog or cat stimulates the nerves and the movement increases the blood flow. It is also a relaxing movement which is calming to a person with dementia or a person with anxiety. A pet interacts with a loved one the way an object, such as a family photo, cannot do providing an unconditionally love we all need and seek. If you have questions about bringing your pet into visit, please contact Jennifer Nichols at 674-2252 or jnichols@clappsnursingcenter.com Monday, February 14, 2011
Therapeutic Benefits of Pet Visits
At Clapp's Nursing Center, pets are no strangers to our residents or staff. We have a chihuahua named Princess, shown here, and a recent addition to the family, a yorkie named Tucker. From time to time other members of our staff bring their pets in to visit the residents. We are blessed with a black lab named Luke who comes twice a month to visit the residents and a boxer named Dixie who also provides pet therapy visits once every two to three months. All these visiting pets are fabulous but they cannot replace the feeling that comes from holding and loving on your own pet. At Clapp's we encourage families to bring in their loved ones pets. Our requirements are that the pet be on a leash, house trained and a copy of the pets most recent rabies vaccination is given to the Activity Director. Some times families are concerned their loved ones pet may act inappropriate and scratch their loved one. This is a legitimate concern and caution should be taken but often the pet is just as relieved to see their owner is okay as their owner is to see they are okay. The act of petting a dog or cat stimulates the nerves and the movement increases the blood flow. It is also a relaxing movement which is calming to a person with dementia or a person with anxiety. A pet interacts with a loved one the way an object, such as a family photo, cannot do providing an unconditionally love we all need and seek. If you have questions about bringing your pet into visit, please contact Jennifer Nichols at 674-2252 or jnichols@clappsnursingcenter.com 
