AAT and Hospice/Palliative Care

 

As mentioned in previous posts, Animal Assisted Therapy is beneficial in so many settings, with so many populations with so many different teams. One area which I am excited to expand upon and research is AAT in Palliative Care. Reading, you tubing and googling has shown me that sure, there are visiting dogs and cats...but are there certified therapeutic animals to aid those in the process of death and dying?

One comes to mind, and if you do a search, youll find Baxter, who has now moved on to the rainbow bridge but has seemed to touch the lives and hearts of so many people, including myself through his inspiring stories, videos and true beauty of what having a heart is really all about. Watching Baxter interact in one particular video makes me bawl my eyes out each and every time. He lays calmly with patients in their beds..all living in hospice.He himself is 19 and a half and unable to walk anymore but his eyes are eager to visit those that need him. The eyes of the indivuals also light up of course and its magic. Magic.

A pat, a quiet moment, a tear, a kiss, a hug, a meaning or a smile...perhaps all of the above, fantastic gifts an animal can bring to those in palliative care. At one of my last places of work, I was able to see the effects first hand of a man who was terminally ill and became quite reserved and quiet. Bedridden, he lost most interest in activities he used to enjoy, but upon bringing in one of my furry companions, he lit up like a Christmas tree. He cried, he exclaimed...he said..."This is the best day Ive had in years". I'll never forget that statement and the power of what an animal can bring- Someone who has been sick, ill, suffering, quiet, angry, grieving, and more stated that this visit from a canine therapy dog was his best day. He died 4 days later, and I know he took that memory with him.

I look forward to sharing my findings on AAT in palliative/hospice care with you and of course, sharing my own experiences in this aspect of AAT. Please see the video mentioned earlier of Baxter here. Please share with me any experience or findings as well!