Now more and more nursing homes maintain their own animals to enhance the therapeutic milieu. Animals are a diversion from routine and provide companionship, facilitate activity and social interaction while providing people with the opportunity to be a care provider. In sum, it is well documented that people denied good human contact and interaction does not thrive well. All indications are that companion animals play the role of family member, often, a member with the most desired attributes. One way people can be protected from the ravages of loneliness is animal companionship.
Animals can permit the older adult to be alone, without being lonely.
Indeed, once you recognize the roles animal play in our lives, it is easy to understand why there is now a commitment to study animal and human health and to foster efforts that will allow both animals and people to live together for the benefit of both.