In a world plagued with uncertainties, there are constants in our life that we can always just assume. The earth will continue to revolve around the sun, gravity will continue to pull us down to this earth, you’ll never get away from paying taxes, and your furry friend will always shower you in unconditional love! That will never change.

No matter how terrible your day was, having your dog or cat greet you with all that excitement the moment you walk in the door is uplifting and puts you in a better mood instantly. They’re wonderful companions. In fact, most people consider them a part of the family. The amount of love they show us can wipe away any anxiety or depression we’re feeling, and they can ultimately do the same for dementia and Alzheimer’s patients.

One major benefit is their lack of judgment. This may seem like a silly observation, but it’s very important. Humans can be very judgmental, even when we don’t mean to be. We’re constantly sizing each other up and trying to compare everyone to ourselves. It’s just our nature. However, animals do not do this. They are not critical. For someone with dementia, those qualities alone make them a great friend. Communication is very difficult for dementia or Alzheimer’s patients. For them to experience the joys of a pure friendship without verbal communication can be very rewarding. This alone helps to boost people’s moods and lower their level of agitation.

Perhaps you’re considering taking your own pet to a dementia community for the residents to enjoy? There are a few things to consider when doing this.

• Animal’s energy level
• Overstaying your welcome
• Dementia patients’ moods are unpredictable
• Time of day

Some of these points are self-explanatory. For instance, point number one: If you’re bringing your dog to a community, he or she cannot be racing around the halls and barking in the faces of the residents. This will certainly cause more agitation and more anxiety. You’re doing too much harm and not enough good. The more calming demeanor your pet has, the more enjoyment everyone will get out of their presence.

Nevertheless, let’s say your pet is calm, and he or she is behaving nicely with the folks of the community. You must always be wary of points 2 and 3. They play into each other, because you do not want to overstay your welcome. One moment a resident may enjoy the company of your pet, while the next they may want to be left alone. The moods of dementia and Alzheimer’s patients can fluctuate quickly and without reason. It’s not your fault, and it’s not your pet’s fault. It’s just something you should take into consideration if you’d like for your pet to become a service animal.

The final point involves understanding the time of day when you are visiting. Patients may be a little more agitated during the evening, as opposed to the morning or afternoon. This is due to Sundowner’s Syndrome. If you would like for you and your pet to make the most out of your visit, it’s best to make an appearance well before the sun is beginning to set. If you can consider these 4 things, your four-legged friend may just become everyone’s new best friend!

All in all, whether it’s a dog, a cat, a bird, or even an aquarium in a living area of a dementia community, you can expect to see much brighter attitudes from the residents within that community. Companionship is something that is so important to humans. There’s something written within our DNA that makes us feel good when we feel like we belong with everyone. However, that feeling is not solely dependent upon other humans. Our animal companions can provide us with that positive emotion just as well. That’s why having pets within these types of communities provides such an uplifting beat for the residents!