Using a Therapy Dog to Alleviate the Agitation and Desocialization of People With Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services | The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a therapy dog on agitation and socialization in persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD) or related disorders who display behaviors consistent with sundown syndrome. A secondary purpose was to determine if changes in agitation and socialization were related to the level of dementia.BackgroundThe Alzheimer's Association has estimated that 4