A LONG-TERM STUDY OF ELDERLY PEOPLE IN NURSING-HOMES WITH VISITING AND RESIDENT DOGS

Three nursing homes in the Brisbane area took part in the study. The M oreton Bay Nursing Care Unit (20 females, 11 males) had a visiting dog (each week), the Returned Services League War Veterans Home (24 femal es, eight males) had a resident dog and the Wheeler Garden Settlement (25 females, seven males) the visiting researcher only (control). A de sexed female whippet, 11 months old was used in this study. Tension an d confusion were reduced in the nursing home with a resident dog (chi( 2) = 21.18, d.f. = 10, P = 0.02; chi(2) = 35.42, d.f. = 10, P = 0.0001 , respectively). The resident dog group showed significant decreases i n depression (chi(2) = 31.19, d.f. = 10, P = 0.0005) as did the contro l group (chi(2) = 29.8, d.f. = 10, P = 0.0009; chi(2) = 23.4, d.f. = 1 0, P = 0.009). Significant increases in vigour were found in all three nursing homes (visiting dog, chi(2) = 43.91, d.f. = 10, P = 0.0005; r esident dog, chi(2) = 42.92, d.f. = 10, P = 0.0005; control, chi(2) = 38.52, d.f. = 10, P = 0.0005). Fatigue decreased significantly in the visiting and resident dog groups (chi(2) = 21.58, d.f. = 10, P = 0.02; chi(2) = 19.45, d.f. = 10, P = 0.03, respectively). This long-term st udy indicates that there are many benefits from having a resident dog in a nursing home. However, if this is not an option, visiting dogs an d/or visiting people improve the lives of nursing home residents.