Author: Marg Hampton
There’s always the concern of an elderly
or person limited in mobility falling over a pet. This is the reason for which
training is essential. No bones about it.
My elderly grandmother had a
small Chihuahua-Terrier cross and an American Bobtail Cat. These two definitely
could have caused some tripping problems. They were small enough.
We observed carefully to see
whether we should move the animals to our home, instead of leaving them with
Grandmother. We observed as the cat slept by her arm, and the dog by her feet.
She was becoming very stimulated from stroking them. And whenever Grandmother
came down the hall with her walker, the animals needed no prompting to steer
clear of it. On a few occasions, the cat even used an alternate route to the
bathroom (crying for one of us to bring her around to the other entrance) so
that she would not risk tripping Grandmother.
There have been many studies which show how much pets
perk up and stimulate patients. They give people a reason to live every day,
because the animal is dependent on them for food and water. With Alzheimer’s and
Dementia patients, they help keep the mind active, while also providing
tenderness and comfort. Something to stroke. Or a little one to hold.
Dogs can be great companions for an otherwise lonely
person, sensitive to the person’s moods and needs. Humans and dogs both need
interaction and attention, and it helps a person forget some of the pain they’re
in when they have a furry friend on whom to shower some affection. That’s one
reason therapy dogs are so successful.
And if your loved one is attached to a
pet, you want to keep it if it’s safely possible. After all, the patient is
already cut off from and perhaps grieving over so much. You don’t want to add
another emotional loss to the mix. Not if a little training can make the
difference.
Obviously, if your pet is a potential hazard, you
either need to find a good trainer for it or a new loving home. No one wants to
wake up with their loved one having a broken hip because of a completely
avoidable fall.
So if you’re not sure which decision is best, ask a
few neutral parties to observe. But don’t take chances. Either the pet is safe,
or is quickly trained to be safe, or it is lovingly placed but out!
* * * * * *
Guest Contributor, Rena Murray,
affectionately dubbed by clients “Dog
Whisper Woman,” solves dog behavior problems from the meek to “red
zone” aggression cases, with success both hands-on and long distance as
evidenced by dog
behavior modification success stories from all over the world. Rena offers a
free “BestEzines” recognized newsletter and over 70 “Expert Author” articles
through her website, Paw Persuasion -
Dog Whisper and Dog Obedience Training. She has extensive personal and
professional experience working with the infirm and their dogs.
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