F ALL 2006 • V ol. 41 No. 3 - San Diego Humane Society and SPCA

c o v e r s t o r y
Two times each day. Seven days a week. Rain or shine.
This is how often volunteers with the
San Diego Humane Society and SPCA’s
Pet-Assisted Therapy (P-AT) program
take pets out into the community to visit
people in need of some tender and
loving care from animals. The program,
which began more than 30 years ago,
visits children, adults and seniors living
in hospitals, care facilities, rehabilitation
centers and classrooms all across San
Diego County. In one year, this amazing
program and its volunteers will bring the
joy of animal companionship to over 550
facilities and more than 10,000 people!
Studies have shown that animals
have positive physical and emotional
effects on people, especially in the type
of care settings the P-AT program
frequents. In fact, animal visitation
in nursing homes has been found
to lower patients’ blood pressure, lift
the spirits of the residents, as well as
increase the sociability of Alzheimer’s
patients. Similarly, studies have found
that children’s levels of distress during
physical examinations were lower when
a companion animal was present in the
room. Amazingly, the animals and the
memories they foster can bring many
individuals out of depression and help
them reconnect with others.
“For the people we visit, having an
animal there makes them focus on the
present moment and often brings back
memories filled with positive emotions,”
said P-AT program volunteer Karen
help you connect with those who have
lost their ability to speak.”
Many of the facilities that participate
in the P-AT program have patients that
are disabled or sick and require care. For
these individuals, visiting with a P-AT
pet gives them a sense of empowerment
when they are able to cuddle and provide
love to animals that so thoroughly enjoy
their attention.
“When the animals come to visit,
the residents are so happy,” said Jessica
Halbert, Activities Director for the Kearny
Mesa Convalescent Hospital and Nursing
Home. “All of our residents are former
parents and it’s hard for them because
their children now have to nurture them,
so it makes them feel good to be able to
nurture and comfort the animals.”
Pet-Assisted Therapy program
coordinator Judith Eisenberg selects
social rabbits, guinea pigs and rats from
the Humane Society’s pool of adoptable
animals to participate in the program.
The rats and guinea pigs participate in
the program for one year and rabbits for
six months before they are “retired” and
made available for adoption. The program
also makes use of certified therapy dogs
and cute and cuddly adoptable puppies
and kittens for one-time visits. These
visits help in socializing the puppies and
kittens while providing an abundance of
smiles to the participants.
“I once went to a day facility for non-
English speaking Russian seniors and
Kees. “In addition, the animals can also brought a Collie puppy. That little puppy
in All Sizes
Left: A resident of a local convalescent home interacts with Charlie the rabbit during a Pet-Assisted
Therapy visit.
Photo: Simran Zilaro
was the light of their day!” said P-AT
volunteer Karen Kees, who has been
volunteering with the P-AT program
for two years. “We couldn’t communicate
with each other, but it was easy to understand
the expressions of happiness.”
Kittens and puppies often come on Pet-Assisted
Therapy visits to receive socialization with facility
residents who also benefit from the interaction.
Volunteers are an integral part of
the P-AT program, transporting the
animals to over 51 different locations
each month. Once they arrive at their
destination, the volunteers bring out the
animals to interact with the facilities’
residents. Guinea pigs and rabbits sit
inside baskets to make them easier to
pet and the inquisitive rats can be found
anywhere from a volunteer’s apron pocket
to a resident’s shoulder. The kittens and
puppies wear harnesses and leashes
and sit in the laps of the older residents
or play with the children on the floor.
Certified therapy dogs can often be seen
cuddling with residents or performing
tricks during the hour-long visits.
(continued on page 6)
AnimalFare • Fall 2006
www.sdhumane.org