Canis Therapy in Geriatrics. Importance a Dog for Old People of Owning a Dog

Summary

In her thesis the author focused attention on the importance of ownership of a dog as companionfor the general health status of elderly people within the framework of a comprehensivebiopsychosocial approach to health as a state of mental, physical and social wellbeing. First shedefined some of the most important health and social problems of old people, and based o n datain the literature, she prepared a review how they can possibly be influenced by a new method- canis therapy, which involves the dog in the therapeutic regime. In a field investigation theauthor assessed whether ownership of a dog reduced among old people in the community theincidence of depression, proved their general health status and really acted as an invaluablecompanion in loneliness, as a mediator for contact with people, motivation for regular exerciseand as part of a preventive and therapeutic regime. A reduced incidence of depression was notobserved in dog owners, while the other hypotheses were confirmed.

Key words:
canistherapy - ownership of a dog - geriatrics - biopsychosocial approach - preven-tion.