Westport High School Abstract from The Chronicle, dated December 20,1995 Anyone who has had a pet understands that when humans and animals interact, a powerful bond can develop between the pet and owner. However, only a few scientific studies have been done to verify the extent of the therapeutic effects of the human-animal bond. The staff at Jeff's Companion Animal Shelter has recently formed a partnership with Harvard University's Medical School's Gerontology Division to carefully craft a scientific study to document that pets can add and do have a positive therapeutic effect on the well-being of patients who suffer from the symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease or other negative effects of the aging process. Rounding out the dedicated team are student volunteers from the Westport Community Schools and cooperating area nursing home staffs. Several hundred hours of volunteer visits by canine companions to elderly patients will be studied and analyzed.
Strict protocol is necessary for the study to qualify as research.
Agencies and volunteers were recruited based on the rigors and demands of the study. Participating area nursing homes include Crestwood Nursing Home, Catholic Memorial, Sarah Brayton Nursing Home and Rosewood Manor. The interest and support of the staff at the nursing homes is critical to the success of the study. The nursing home activities directors are playing leading roles in coordinating the volunteers and patients and in recording the results of the visits. Westport High School staff members are developing an applied learning unit of study around the students' participation as volunteer-science researchers on the project.