Dogs greet Mercy Place patients for Alzheimer’s Australia’s dementia awareness month

THE sound of 10 dogs arriving at an East Melbourne home has roused patients with dementia from their seats with smiles.

Mercy Place residents Kath Fletcher, 81, and Dorothy Harrick, 82, with Jules the English stafford terrier. Picture: Tim Carrafa

IT’S hard to know exactly what neurons started firing along once well-traversed pathways in the brains of Mercy Place residents, as celebrity vet Dr Katrina Warren led her puppy pack inside.

But the impact was clear to those in the room.

The sound of the 10 dogs arriving at the East Melbourne home — French bulldogs, cavoodles and pomeranians straining in anticipation of the awaiting attention — roused patients with dementia from their seats.

They opened their eyes. They smiled. They extended their hands.

The visit was part of Alzheimer’s Australia’s dementia awareness month this September, aiming to make more Australians aware of what it’s like to live with dementia.

Mercy Place regional manager Marg Alexander said for the 50 residents with dementia, visits from dogs allowed them to connect with happy memories and express their emotions.

“We had a male resident who would get a bit agitated at four o’clock each day, and looking into their history that’s because he always took the dog for a walk at that time,” Ms Alexander said. “If there is a dog available at four o’clock and you can give that resident the lead and take them out to the courtyard, they’re happy.

“Research shows interaction with animals really increases the quality of life by reducing their tensions, helping with fatigue and confusion.

“It increases their enthusiasm. They might be sitting on a chair just looking at the wall, but as soon as the animals come in they sit up, their eyes open and they smile.”