COPD & Emphysema Support Group
COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
Pet Therapy and COPD
The Pros and Cons of Pet Therapy for COPD Patients
Whether you enjoy sitting in your easy chair with Fido at your feet or simply gazing for hours at the underwater adventures of your favorite fish, if you are a pet owner, you undoubtedly understand that there is nothing like pet therapy to mend a broken heart and soothe a weary soul.
Pet therapy, or animal assisted therapy, involves the use of furry animals, fish, or other non-human creatures as alternative treatment for a variety of diseases and illnesses. Nursing homes, hospitals, hospices and rehabilitation centers are among the many facilities that now incorporate pet therapy into their services.
While the use of pet therapy for COPD has not yet been established, there are some conclusions that we can draw from other types of research which has focused on the chronically and mentally ill, the elderly and persons who are disabled.
Benefits of Pet Therapy
Historically, pet therapy was first used as an adjunct to treatment for the mentally ill, but it did not take long before its benefits were recognized in the field of medicine and physical disease. In fact, studies have shown a more rapid reduction of symptoms of many diseases when animals are implemented in the therapeutic process.
Is pet therapy or owning a pet something you would like to incorporate into your COPD treatment? Take a look at what some of the literature is saying about its potential benefits:
Reduces stress and anxiety.
May help lower blood pressure, if only temporarily.
Reduces loneliness.
May enhance the will to live for some patients.
Decreases depression and improves perception of quality of life.
May improve survival rates in some patients.
May enhance mood and improve social interaction.
May give patients a reason to hang on.
May provide a distraction to pain and the difficulties and monotony of treatment.
In addition to the many benefits of pet ownership, a dog will also provide you with a daily exercise partner. Remember, exercise is vitally important if you have COPD. A daily walk with your best friend will improve your exercise tolerance, reduce your shortness of breath, increase your self esteem and elevate your mood. What more can you ask for?
The Pros and Cons of Pet Therapy for COPD Patients
Whether you enjoy sitting in your easy chair with Fido at your feet or simply gazing for hours at the underwater adventures of your favorite fish, if you are a pet owner, you undoubtedly understand that there is nothing like pet therapy to mend a broken heart and soothe a weary soul.
Pet therapy, or animal assisted therapy, involves the use of furry animals, fish, or other non-human creatures as alternative treatment for a variety of diseases and illnesses. Nursing homes, hospitals, hospices and rehabilitation centers are among the many facilities that now incorporate pet therapy into their services.
While the use of pet therapy for COPD has not yet been established, there are some conclusions that we can draw from other types of research which has focused on the chronically and mentally ill, the elderly and persons who are disabled.
Benefits of Pet Therapy
Historically, pet therapy was first used as an adjunct to treatment for the mentally ill, but it did not take long before its benefits were recognized in the field of medicine and physical disease. In fact, studies have shown a more rapid reduction of symptoms of many diseases when animals are implemented in the therapeutic process.
Is pet therapy or owning a pet something you would like to incorporate into your COPD treatment? Take a look at what some of the literature is saying about its potential benefits:
Reduces stress and anxiety.
May help lower blood pressure, if only temporarily.
Reduces loneliness.
May enhance the will to live for some patients.
Decreases depression and improves perception of quality of life.
May improve survival rates in some patients.
May enhance mood and improve social interaction.
May give patients a reason to hang on.
May provide a distraction to pain and the difficulties and monotony of treatment.
In addition to the many benefits of pet ownership, a dog will also provide you with a daily exercise partner. Remember, exercise is vitally important if you have COPD. A daily walk with your best friend will improve your exercise tolerance, reduce your shortness of breath, increase your self esteem and elevate your mood. What more can you ask for?
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My 6mo twin DD's are EBF and just started rice cereal on the first. Everything has been going fine except this morning one of them had a diaper rash (lots of redness around her anus). I read this as one of the signs of an allergy. BUT I did just buy a different brand diaper yesterday (which they have used randomly before w/no issues). Do you think its the cereal or the diaper? Im ready to start...
My son brought me a new dog family member to fill the gaps of my loss and I'm back on track again with many of the items listed in the article that are listed as positive in having a pet around.
I can attest to the advantage of having pets. Even though I complain about their shedding, things would be a bit boring without them. Hubby was out in the woods all day berry picking, had a bumper crop this year, which is something to put in the freezer! Nothing else did too well this year, too hot & dry. Anyways while he's out there I got this scraggly old cat, big bald spots, going on 18 years old. She retired from being an outdoor mouser to an indoor clown! She spent the day tearing up & down the hall, back & forth, with the dog sitting in the door of a room about half way down, just watching here like at a tennis match. The dog is only going on 6 & can in no way keep up with this old cat. I'd even bet the cat outlives the dog. Oldest cat I've ever had was 22. That's pretty old! Deb
I have Peanut my dog who likes to warm himself up against your body.....he is lover....my chwowow dog...(mis spell)
Then I would like to have less pets.....
We have fish they are kool to look at....
But if I was by myself a small dog would be ok.....as long as he didn't shed!!!!
sorry Floyd you had lost your dog and I know what that is like we lost a couple of dogs in the last two years. One to a sparder bite, and the other to old age. WE do get attach to our animals don't
we.
Debbi I hope you don't take this wrong........but you remind me of my family....you could go to my aunt place and see your cat or dog... and see them working on the ranch too.
Never see one without the other!
Thanks!