A touch of magic: using a service dog for dementia care - 1999 Optima Award

Nursing Homes, Sept, 1999

There were further attempts to measure outcomes. For example, 21 unit staff members were surveyed prior to the project and again three months after the dog was in place. Results pre- and post-implementation are shown in the table.

Table. Staff Perception of the Usefulness of a Service Dog in an
Alzheimer's Unit

Survey Questions
Q1. Do you think a dog will help the unit?

Q2. Do you think a dog can help people with dementia?

Q3. Will the dog make the unit more homelike?

Staff Responses

              Before Magic               After Magic(*)

         Yes       No     Unsure      Yes     No    Unsure

Q1.      10         3        8         18      0       3
Q2.       8         6        7         20      0       1
Q3.      15         3        3         20      0       1

* After Magic = 3 months after Magic was in place on the unit.

Family Responses

Family members were asked for their subjective comments after the dog was in place. Prior to the project, all family and friends were sent a letter detailing it and asking for their comments or objections. No objections were forthcoming - indeed, all family and friends were supportive. A few relatives expressed concerns about possible allergic reactions to the dog, but generally believed this would be a minor problem.

A sampling of their comments:

"The dog helps me visit. I feel I have something to talk about with my mother. Now I bring my children to see the dog, too."

"My father loved the dog, and I have never seen him this happy."

"I love the dog, and my mother does, too. All nursing homes should do this."

"The dog makes it easier to come here. We can talk to the dog, pet the dog and we all feel better."

"My mother talks more now, and she is happier. She talks to the dog, pets the dog, and is calm. We used to have a dog like him at home."

"My father is like a new person around the dog. He talks more and looks so much happier."

Conclusion

In general, the service dog program has achieved its objectives. We have:

* reduced or eliminated wandering away from the unit;

* increased social interactions among residents;

* increased family communication;

* increased family visits;

* heard families report they are more likely to bring younger family members;

* reduced confrontational behaviors;

* increased staff satisfaction and appreciation;

* increased staff time for clinical tasks.