"So you take goats to nursing homes?"
The Geriatric Organization for Animal Therapy (GOAT) was established in May 2018 to provide emotional and social support to people at geriatric centers through evidence-based, animal-assisted activities[1]. As part of our visits, members take farm animals to patients' rooms and to community areas in geriatric centers, such as nursing homes. GOAT members then spend time with residents, letting them hold and pet the animals, while engaging with them about their own experiences with animals throughout their lives.
This creates a conversation link for residents and students and cultivates an opportunity for residents to reminisce and share stories. And for those patients that identify more as "city folk", it's not everyday that they get to see a goat wearing a onesie. Our visits have been shown to be exciting for individuals of many ages and backgrounds.
Animals bridge generations.
"Goats really haven't changed much in the past 50 years."
Why Animal-Assisted Activities?
Poor mental health in nursing home patients is a persistent and critical public health concern. Over a million patients live in nursing homes across the United States and out of these individuals, it is estimated that two-thirds exhibit mental and behavioral concerns[1]. Some of the more common mental and neurological disorders diagnosed in nursing home patients are depression, anxiety disorders, dementia, and bipolar disorder. There are also many patients in these facilities that have experienced a stroke and are receiving care through their healing process.
Animal assisted activities (AAA) are included and endorsed by human healthcare providers as cost-effective interventions for specific patient populations in various acute and rehabilitative care facilities. Specifically, therapy animals can be used to alleviate stress, anxiety, depression, and feelings of loneliness and social isolation through interactions[2][3][4][5]. They can also be incorporated with physical and speech therapy for a unique session, often seen for patients recovering from a stroke. Visits conducted by volunteers with appropriate animals can provide opportunities for motivation, connection, or recreation to enhance quality of life.
Animal assisted activities (AAA) are included and endorsed by human healthcare providers as cost-effective interventions for specific patient populations in various acute and rehabilitative care facilities. Specifically, therapy animals can be used to alleviate stress, anxiety, depression, and feelings of loneliness and social isolation through interactions[2][3][4][5]. They can also be incorporated with physical and speech therapy for a unique session, often seen for patients recovering from a stroke. Visits conducted by volunteers with appropriate animals can provide opportunities for motivation, connection, or recreation to enhance quality of life.