Helen Woodward Animal Center Pet Encounter Therapy Pets Promote Drive-In Delights!
Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (May 26, 2020) – Last month, two of Helen Woodward Animal Center’s most colorful characters, alpacas by the names of Kronk and Kuzco, became overnight media sensations when they took Pet Encounter Therapy on the road. The adorable duo arrived by van and greeted residents outside the dining hall window at Boulder Creek Post-Acute, spreading smiles while keeping clients COVID-safe. The visit was such a success that the program is being expanded in reverse! Wednesday, May 27th at 1:30pm, clients from Alzheimer’s San Diego will arrive by cars to Helen Woodward Animal Center for a Pet Encounter Therapy Critter Drive-In visit. The unique stop will include a wide variety of adorable animal greeters sure to promote joy and laughter through car windows, at a socially-safe distance.
Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Pet Encounter Therapy is, in essence, “cuddle therapy.” The program brings the unconditional love and tactile benefits of animals to people inside skilled nursing facilities, children’s shelters, hospitals, psychiatric units and many more. The basis of the important therapy stems from studies showing that holding and caressing an animal provides benefits such as relaxation, lower blood pressure, improved long- and short-term memory, and sensory stimuli.
Unfortunately, with the COVID pandemic regulations limiting those who enter hospital and wellness centers to essential healthcare workers, therapy animals have had to take a back-seat. But on Wednesday, May 27th, Pet Encounter Therapy animals are asking clients from Alzheimer’s San Diego to hop into the back seat of a vehicle and catch a ride to Helen Woodward Animal Center for a very special visit. Center staff and volunteers will don masks and walk animal ambassadors around the vehicles while holding laminated, fun fact sheets outside the driver’s side window to safely share information about each fuzzy, fluffy, and scaly friend.
Although dogs and bunnies are more commonly utilized for the therapy, the latest move to make non-traditional animals into therapy pets has been inspired by the current climate. With patients unable to cuddle with their regular PET friends, the surprise of an alpaca, horse, sheep, or blue-tongued skink seems to be the next best thing. What the critters can’t offer in cuddle time, they can make up for with delight, joy and laughter.
“Social distancing is hard for everyone – but especially for those living with dementia and their families,” explained Alzheimer’s San Diego President/CEO Eugenia Welch. “It can be frightening to be isolated without understanding why. We are so excited to host this critter drive-in for our families with Helen Woodward Animal Center. Research shows that interacting with animals can reduce anxiety and agitation in people living with dementia – which is more important now than ever. This experience will be such a gift!”
Robin Cohen, who has run the Pet Encounter Therapy Program at Helen Woodward Animal Center for over 26 years, can testify to the healing power these animals provide.
“It means so much to us to find a unique way to provide this therapy. Even our animals have missed their visits with the people they have come to know and love. There is a beautiful give-and-take between humans and animals that just can’t be duplicated. Animals have no agendas. They like us for who we are and they connect from the heart.”
The media is invited to the Pet Encounter Therapy Critter Drive-In on Wednesday, May 27th at 1:30pm, at Helen Woodward Animal Center. We ask all media guests to maintain the social-distance and safety measures provided by the CDC.
For more information on Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Pet Encounter Therapy, contact PET Manager Robin Cohen at (858) 756-4117 x322, or go online at www.animalcenter.org.
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About Helen Woodward Animal Center
Helen Woodward Animal Center is a private, non-profit organization where “people help animals and animals help people.” Founded in 1972 in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., the Center provides services for more than 90,000 people and more than 10,000 animals annually through adoptions, educational and therapeutic programs both onsite and throughout the community. Helen Woodward Animal Center is also the creator of the International Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive, the International Remember Me Thursday® campaign and The Business of Saving Lives Workshops, teaching the business of saving lives to animal welfare leaders from around the world. For more information, go to: www.animalcenter.org.
About Alzheimer’s San Diego
Alzheimer’s San Diego is a local and independent nonprofit that serves more than 25,000 people affected by dementia every year. We are not affiliated with a national organization or association. 100% of every dollar donated to Alzheimer’s San Diego will stay in San Diego County for local support and research. To learn more about the free programs and services provided to the community and how we help to advance Alzheimer’s research, please visit www.alzsd.org.