Alzheimer's Aid Dog
Butler Challenge
“to add quality to life and not only years”
A quote from an Alzheimer's sufferer who has an assistance dog
"A person has no worth or existence if he doesn't belong to a social community. A person without a companion is empty. The most important aspect of this project is not just getting me safely home which is very important but to allow me to be socially active. To go with Polly (my dog) to friends and acquaintances… now there is no fear whether I'll be back home safe or not. With Polly there is no pressure."
Role of the Alzheimer Aid Dog©
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Take “home” safely - The dog is trained to take the client safely to the last secure place or the place that they departed from Carer, Car, home, etc.
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Maintain safely - Sensing and identifying abnormal situations (such as breathing distress, falling, epileptic fits, etc.), reacting accordingly and raising the alarm
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Reality and time anchor - The real need of taking care of the dog ensures that the patient maintains a steady daily routine which is enforced by the dog if it is forgotten
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Finding and fetching lost items
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Non judgemental companion - Reduce feeling of loneliness, isolation, confusion and anxiety
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Improve Independence - self confidence and reduce co-dependence on carers. Maintain normality - caring for his dog’s needs (walking, feeding and grooming)
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Promote enviromental contact - Walking the dog also promotes contact
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Reduce depression - Client forced by dog to attend to its needs
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Improving physical health - with regular walks and physical activity.Improving balance - while walking with the harness and saving from falls
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Reducing the 24 hours family care - Reduce burden on the family and allowing the family and carer to take a break especially at night
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Improving the home atmosphere - by softening stress situation with the Alzheimer’s Aid Dog© activity
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Reducing emotional burden - on the household members due to reducing co-dependency of the patient and by improving the patient emotional state