Animals have always been people's companions and helpers. They bring life and joy and can also convey quality of life in old age, promote social contacts and protect against isolation. Animals are often a door opener, especially for people suffering from dementia.
These positive effects of animals can also be used in medical, social therapy and nursing areas. In her publication, Margrit Selle explains which requirements must be observed when setting up an animal-assisted visiting service for the elderly.
To this end, Selle examines the relationship between humans and animals as well as the experiences of older people in today's society. It shows what qualities a therapy dog should have and what training can look like. Using practical examples, she makes it clear how a visiting service can be successfully set up.
From the content:
- Dogs;
- Visiting service;
- Senior citizens;
- Dementia;
- Elderly care;
- Therapy
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
1.1 Questions about the present work
1.2 Approach and objectives of the work
2 Animals as companions of humans
2.1 Historical development
2.2 Human – Animal – Relationship
2.3 Effects of animals on humans
2.4 Purpose of animal-assisted therapy
2.5 State of research
3 The elderly in our society
3.1 The aging process in Germany
3.2 Socialization in old age
3.3 Successful and productive aging
3.4 The health-impaired senior
3.5 Picking up older people where they are
3.6 Enduring disabilities with animals
4 Basics of a therapy dog team
4.1 The Therapy Dog
4.2 Forms of interaction and communication between humans and dogs
4.3 Holistic therapeutic effect of dogs
4.4 Various visiting services
4.5 Types of visits
4.6 Basic requirements for dog and owner
4.7 Training as a visiting dog
4.8 Animal Welfare Guidelines
4.9 The organization "Animals help people"
5 Establishment of a visiting service
5.1 Brief market analysis
5.2 Requirements for an animal-assisted visiting service
5.3 Stress-free animal-assisted work in the sense of the animal
5.4 Hygienic cauts
5.5 Legal aspects
5.6 Relevant insurances
5.7 Allowance
5.8 Agreements with institutions / individuals
5.9 Public relations
5.10 Preparations for a dog visit
5.11 Visit documentation
6 Summary and outlook
Objectives and Topics
This thesis examines the requirements for successfully establishing and operating an animal-assisted visiting service specifically for the elderly, exploring how such services can mitigate loneliness and improve quality of life. The work integrates scientific insights regarding the human-animal bond with practical guidelines for management, hygiene, and ethical training.
- The psychological, social, and physical effects of the human-animal bond.
- Age-related challenges and the specific needs of seniors, including those with dementia.
- Core requirements and selection criteria for therapy dog teams.
- Best practices for implementing and documenting professional animal-assisted visits.
- Legal, hygienic, and organizational frameworks for visiting service providers.
Excerpt from the Book
4.2 Forms of interaction and communication between humans and dogs
Furthermore, forms of interaction and human-animal communication are fundamental building blocks for working with dogs.
First of all, it should be briefly mentioned that there are three levels of communication in the animal world, the acoustic signals such as barking, visual signals, but not recognizable in the dark, and always perceptible smells (cf. OTTERSTEDT 2001: 170).
A dog has many forms of expression, even if it does not speak our language, as Leonardo da Vinci noted, "The language of animals is limited, but what they express with it is important and useful" (HEGEDUSCH/HEGEDUSCH 2007: 8).
Thus, the "foreign language Hündisch" (MENGES 2010: 98) is associated with many forms of expression that man should master in order to understand his four-legged friend. In addition to barking, howling, growling, wheezing, the various non-verbal communication channels such as facial expressions, gaze, posture, type of tail wagging, humility gestures, pulling up the lefzen, the play of the ears, etc. should not be underestimated. It resembles its own language and must be made accessible through observation and specialist literature in order to communicate absolutely unanimously. But also the dogs understand us, often better than we think, because they take care of every slightest movement and changed behavior of us, they warn us of misunderstandings and react to our punctuation.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: Provides an overview of the demographic context and the motivation for implementing an animal-assisted visiting service for seniors.
2 Animals as companions of humans: Discusses the historical context, the human-animal relationship, and the therapeutic impact animals have on human health and well-being.
3 The elderly in our society: Analyzes the aging process, sociological aspects of aging, and special challenges faced by seniors, including chronic diseases and dementia.
4 Basics of a therapy dog team: Outlines the criteria for therapy dogs, training requirements, and the fundamental mechanics of human-dog communication in a therapeutic setting.
5 Establishment of a visiting service: Details the practical steps for starting a service, including market analysis, legal considerations, hygiene protocols, and marketing.
6 Summary and outlook: Concludes with a reflection on the sustainability of regular animal visits and future possibilities for their integration into modern care institutions.
Keywords
Animal-assisted therapy, visiting dogs, elderly care, human-animal relationship, gerontology, dementia, therapy dog training, socialization, animal husbandry, pet therapy, hygiene standards, senior health, psychological well-being, social integration, palliative care.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this diploma thesis?
The work focuses on the requirements, development, and implementation of an animal-assisted visiting service specifically adapted for the elderly, emphasizing the use of visiting dogs in home and institutional settings.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
Key themes include the therapeutic potential of the human-animal bond, the social and biological needs of aging individuals, appropriate training standards for therapy dog teams, and the practical and legal frameworks required to launch a mobile visiting service.
What is the primary objective of this research?
The objective is to provide a comprehensive guide for caregivers and interested individuals on how to professionally establish an animal-assisted visiting service that supports seniors, promotes social communication, and improves their general quality of life.
Which scientific methodology is utilized?
The thesis is primarily based on a comprehensive literature review combined with empirical perspectives derived from gerontological research and established practices in animal-assisted interventions.
What topics are covered in the practical main section of the book?
The main section covers practical operational tasks, such as market analysis, insurance requirements, hygiene planning, visitor documentation, and specific strategies for working with bedridden patients or those with dementia.
Which keywords characterize this document?
The core keywords include animal-assisted therapy, visiting dogs, gerontology, dementia, human-animal relationship, therapy dog training, and hygiene protocols in senior care.
How does this work handle the risk of disease transmission during visits?
The book emphasizes the importance of following evidence-based hygiene guidelines, ensuring that visiting animals are healthy, professional, and well-groomed, while also identifying specific cohorts (e.g., people with fresh surgeries or severe phobias) where visits should be avoided.
Does the author provide advice on legal and financial aspects?
Yes, the work addresses professional liability insurance, taxation of services, expense allowances for volunteers, and the necessity of written agreements with care institutions for legal protection.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Margrit Selle (Autor:in), 2018, Dogs in geriatric care. Establishment of an animal-assisted visiting service, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1253843
