There is little question that professionally-trained service animals, such as therapy dogs or guide dogs, offer invaluable assistance and therapeutic benefits to the elderly and disabled. But the therapeutic and health benefits that pets provide aren’t just limited to service animals. The American Heart Association recently announced that pet ownership may help lower your risk of heart disease. Pets also provide psychological benefits, including easing loneliness, increasing physical and social activity, and boosting mood. The presence of pets in nursing homes has been shown to reduce the need for medication, improve vital signs and nutritional intake, and help people cope with depression and stress-related disorders, even among older adults with dementia.

A recent Fox News article discussed how to cope with the loss of a pet. More than 164 million U.S. households enjoy the benefits of pet ownership, so it’s no surprise that when a cherished family pet is approaching end-of-life, many families mourn the loss of a strong emotional bond.

One Minnesotan photographer found a way to help people cope with the impending loss of a terminally ill pet by celebrating life through photography. Sarah Beth Ernhart began offering “Joy Sessions”, or reduced-rate photography sessions for elderly or terminally ill dogs and cats, after capturing a joyful relationship between a woman in hospice care and her service dog named Joy.  Since her first “Joy Session” in 2009, Sarah Ernhart has performed more than a hundred reduced-rate photo sessions with elderly or terminally ill pets. Her website also lists photographers across the country and worldwide who perform similar sessions. For more about Joy Sessions, visit www.joysession.com, or stop by the Joy Sessions Facebook page.

Just like people, many elderly or terminally ill pets struggle with loss of bladder or bowel control. For products to help keep your pet’s bed dry, visit TotalHomeCareSupplies.com.

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