Another astounding case of an animal's effect on Alzheimer's patients is Oscar, a cat who resides on the third floor dementia ward of Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Providence, Rhode Island. Oscar has the almost mystical ability to sniff out patients who face imminent death, and he invariably stays with them to offer comfort until they have passed. Often, Oscar will not leave a patient's bedside until someone arrives to remove the deceased. Then, he will turn to the next most needy patient. Oscar's story has been told in the masterful book, Making Rounds With Oscar , by David Dosa, M.D., a staff physician at Steere House. No one knows precisely what alerts Oscar to the pending demise of a dementia patient, but what is known is the comfort he gives to these patients at a time when they are most in need.

According to the Alzheimer's Association, pet therapy dates back to the 1860s, though the positive impact of animals on Alzheimer's patients wasn't studied in earnest until the 1980s. Since May is National Pet Month, it is an ideal time to explore the many amazing cats, such as Oscar, and dogs, such as Roscoe, who offer such help and unconditional love to those with Alzheimer's. Now, bunnies are also being used more and more for pet therapy. Please read our recent blog post about this topic for more details.

How do pets help those with Alzheimer's? Due to the anxiety that social situations can cause those with Alzheimer's, they often avoid social situations altogether, including interacting with family and loved ones. Research shows that people with dementia recognize pets as friendly and non-threatening. When they have a pet with them, studies show they display more interactive behaviors, as is the case with Lisa Abeyta's father in our example. Check out this video which elaborates on the positive effects therapy animals can have on those with Alzheimer's.

In addition to stimulating a social response, dementia patients may benefit from the presence of therapy animals because of:

• Reduced agitation. Agitation behaviors, including verbal or physical outbursts, general emotional distress, restlessness, pacing, shredding (paper or tissues) that are common among later stage dementia patients, are reduced in the presence of a pet.
• Physical activity. People dealing with Alzheimer's can lose motivation to maintain physical activity. Depending on a patient's mobility, he or she may be able to brush the animal, toss a ball, or even go for a short walk.
• Lower blood pressure. Spending time with an animal has even been correlated to lower blood pressure and increased odds of survival after a heart attack.
• Improved eating and personal hygiene. Those with Alzheimer's sometimes neglect necessary daily activities such as eating or basic personal hygiene. Alzheimer's patients have been shown to eat more and pay closer attention to basic hygiene following a pet's visit.
• Pleasure. Some patients simply enjoy the presence of the pet and its human companion, as well as the tricks that some therapy animals can do.
• Increased socialization. Many individuals with Alzheimer's, who respond to little or nothing else in their environment, will respond to the non-threatening presence of a gentle therapy animal. An animal provides a natural and easy conversation topic for dementia patients, who often feel a great deal of strain from being put into social situations.