Instances of Joyful Delights - "Joyful Times Unfolded" - The Impact of Animal Companions Residing in Senior Care Facilities
In nursing homes across Rhineland-Palatinate, a unique addition is bringing a sense of comfort, joy, and companionship to residents. Goats, along with other therapy animals, are now part of the daily lives of seniors, offering significant benefits to their happiness and well-being.
Residents at a nursing home in Rhineland-Palatinate find solace in watching birds, feeding fish, and tortoises in the foyer. Recently, four-month-old goats have joined the menagerie, moving in from a private breeder in Saxony. These gentle creatures, named Hanni, Nanni, Marie, and Bubi, have made quite an impact, evoking positive emotions and providing conversation topics.
Helena Meyer, a resident, recalls having a dog, cat, cow, and pigs in the past. She recently fed the goats with branches from an apple tree, a simple act that brought back memories of her past animal companions. Beate Ruffing, the director of the nursing home, mentions they also have sheep, a chinchilla, two land tortoises, a gecko, ornamental fish, and birds.
The presence of these animals offers emotional support and stress reduction to seniors. Interaction with animals helps lift spirits, ease anxiety, and reduce stress hormones like cortisol. In turn, this hormonal balance fosters emotional well-being, reduces symptoms of depression, and creates a sense of calm and peace for residents.
Moreover, animals provide improved mood and mental engagement for seniors. Familiar, gentle, and low-pressure interactions with animals—such as petting or talking to them—help residents, especially those with memory challenges or dementia, feel more grounded, present, and engaged. Animals can spark joy, smiles, and conversations, enhancing social connection and reducing feelings of loneliness.
The introduction of animals also increases social interaction and community bonding within the nursing home environment. Animal visits often bring residents together, promoting conversation and shared positive experiences that strengthen community ties.
Physical health benefits are also associated with active pet care. For seniors able to participate in activities like walking or playing, animals encourage regular movement, which supports cardiovascular health, mobility, and overall physical well-being.
While dogs are commonly used due to their intuitive and affectionate nature, other animals, such as goats, can also bring comfort and stimulation. Their presence provides novelty and gentle companionship, which may be especially uplifting for residents.
In Kell am See, Trier-Saarburg district, the miniature goats are currently the stars. Katja Oswald, head of the living area and goat expert, says the goats are getting more tame and soon will be able to be petted. She notes that these encounters often release happiness hormones in people, a testament to the positive impact these therapy animals have on seniors' well-being.
Simone Kilian, from "Tiere helfen Menschen," states that animals have a unique connection to people. Encounters with animals often bring joy and happiness to the residents, evoking memories of past animal ownership. The association visits senior homes, schools, and facilities for the disabled with animals, mainly dogs, but also guinea pigs, birds, and goats.
In Kaiserslautern, a senior who was difficult to motivate was seen pulling himself up to the fence of the sheep enclosure on his own. A wooden house was built for the goats with donations before their arrival, and they can be observed 24/7 via a "goat cam."
Marianne Scholer visits the goats almost every day and finds it very nice. Marie-Jeanne Krecké from Luxembourg remembers seeing goats in Morocco while driving through the Atlas Mountains. The staff finds the goats to be something beautiful and a welcome lightening of the daily routine in care work.
Overall, animals in nursing homes serve as powerful non-pharmacological tools that enhance seniors’ quality of life by boosting emotional health, encouraging social connection, and promoting physical activity—all contributing to greater happiness and well-being.
- The community policy in these nursing homes may consider expanding the resident menagerie, as the introduction of therapy animals like goats has shown significant benefits for emotional health, well-being, and social interaction.
- Employment polices in these nursing homes might need to accommodate the influx of animals, ensuring proper care, feeding, and supervision. This could involve hiring additional staff members with experience in workplace-wellness practices, such as health-and-fitness, mental-health support, and pet care.
- In the realm of home-and-garden pursuits, the foyer menagerie could be further developed into a therapeutic garden featuring various plants, perhaps even fruit trees like the apple tree for resident interaction and nourishment.
- The caretakers of these nursing homes should consider implementing fitness-and-exercise programs that cater to seniors, encouraging residents to engage in light exercise or movement by caring for the animals, such as walking the dogs or playing with the goats.
- Mental-health professionals may be called upon to provide additional support to residents during their interactions with therapy animals, especially for seniors experiencing symptoms of aging, like memory challenges or dementia.
- The skin-care industry could explore collaborations with nursing homes to offer skincare products specifically designed for seniors, enriching their experience with therapy animals through sensory support and personal grooming.
- For seniors struggling with feelings of loneliness or depression, therapies-and-treatmentsConnection programs could be developed that combine animal-assisted therapy with counseling and support groups, offering holistic approaches to mental-health care within the nursing home setting.
