Animal-Assisted Therapy and Visiting Animals

Animal-assisted therapy and visiting-animal programmes involve carefully selected animals spending time with people to support comfort, enjoyment, communication or wellbeing. Visits may take place in care homes, hospitals, hospices, mental-health services, day centres, supported housing and other supported settings.

Dogs are the most common visiting animals, although programmes may sometimes involve cats, rabbits, miniature horses, donkeys, goats or other suitable animals. The type of animal, the setting and the activity vary a great deal between providers.

This kind of support may be offered to people living with dementia, and also to some people experiencing loneliness, poor mental health, learning disabilities, serious illness or other support needs. It is not a cure, a medical treatment or a guaranteed benefit, and it is not suitable for everybody.

These terms are sometimes used loosely, so it is worth asking what is actually being offered.

• Visiting-animal or animal-assisted activity. A planned visit intended to provide companionship, enjoyment, gentle stimulation or social interaction. It may be led by a trained volunteer and is not necessarily clinical therapy.
• Animal-assisted therapy. A more structured intervention with agreed aims, normally involving an appropriately qualified health, care or therapy professional alongside a suitable animal and its handler.
• Assistance animals. Assistance dogs are specially trained to help a disabled person with everyday tasks and have particular legal access rights. They are different from visiting therapy animals.

Depending on the person’s wishes and abilities, and always with their agreement, they may:

• stroke or gently groom an animal
• sit quietly beside it
• talk to the handler about the animal
• remember and discuss animals they previously knew
• give an approved treat under supervision
• walk a short distance with the animal and appropriate support
• watch the animal without touching it
• choose not to take part at all

A suitable, well-planned visit may:

• offer companionship and enjoyment
• encourage conversation and social interaction
• bring back positive memories
• provide gentle sensory stimulation
• help some people feel calmer or less isolated
• encourage engagement when ordinary conversation is difficult
• give a person something enjoyable to look forward to
• support confidence or a sense of connection

Experiences differ from person to person. The available research does not prove that these visits will help everyone, and some people will not want them at all.

Familiar animals can sometimes encourage memories, conversation and non-verbal connection for a person living with dementia. Contact with an animal may open a moment of communication when words are difficult.

NICE includes animal-assisted therapy among the activities that services may consider when promoting wellbeing for people living with dementia. It should be chosen according to the person’s individual preferences, life history, abilities and needs.

A person who previously loved animals may greatly enjoy a visit. Someone who fears animals, dislikes them, or does not understand what is happening may find the same visit upsetting. If a person becomes distressed, the visit should stop and staff should follow their usual approach to managing distress.

A reputable programme protects both the person and the animal. The animal should have:

• appropriate health and temperament checks
• a responsible handler who understands its behaviour
• suitable insurance and risk-assessment arrangements
• regular rest, water and opportunities to withdraw
• no forced interaction
• protection from stressful noise, handling or surroundings

• Ask the care home, hospital, hospice, dementia service or day centre whether it has an approved visiting-animal programme.
• Ask who assesses the animal and the handler.
• Ask about insurance, safeguarding, infection control and risk assessments.
• Ask whether staff remain present during visits.
• Ask whether the visit is an informal wellbeing activity or a structured therapy session with agreed aims.
• Be cautious of any provider claiming that animals cure dementia or replace healthcare.
• Check any charges and cancellation terms before agreeing to a private service.

Pets As Therapy is one example of a UK organisation that arranges visits from assessed volunteers and their animals. Sixpence Support UK does not endorse, vet or guarantee any organisation, and you should make your own checks.

• Do you offer visiting-animal sessions?
• Who provides and supervises them?
• Has the animal been assessed for this work?
• Is the provider insured?
• How do you obtain and record consent?
• What happens if somebody is frightened or distressed?
• How are allergies and infection risks managed?
• Can the person watch without touching?
• Is there a cost?
• Are relatives or carers allowed to attend?

Real animals are not suitable for everyone. Alternatives may include:

• watching animals outdoors, from a window or in a garden
• animal videos or photographs
• talking about a person’s former pets
• soft, lifelike companion animals
• interactive or robotic companion pets
• supervised visits to an appropriate animal setting

Lifelike or robotic animals should be introduced respectfully. Do not deliberately mislead or infantilise a person living with dementia, and explain what the item is when the person is able to understand that information.

Animal-assisted support must not delay medical assessment or replace prescribed treatment, dementia care, mental-health support or professional advice. Speak to a GP about any new or worsening health concern.

If someone’s behaviour, awareness or confusion changes suddenly, this may be delirium or another urgent health problem rather than dementia progression. Use NHS 111 online or call 111 for urgent advice, and call 999 in a life-threatening emergency.

• Dementia
• Care Homes
• Mental Health
• Bereavement
• Find Local Services

• NICE — Dementia quality statement: activities to promote wellbeing
• NICE — Dementia quality statement: managing distress
• NHS — What is dementia?
• Alzheimer’s Society — Can caring for a pet help a person with dementia?
• Alzheimer’s Society — Lifelike pets and robotic companions
• Pets As Therapy — official UK website
• NHS England — National Infection Prevention and Control Manual for England
• NHS — The Mental Capacity Act

This information is for general guidance and does not replace advice, diagnosis or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional. If you are worried about someone’s health, symptoms or care, speak to a GP, pharmacist or the care provider.