In addition to The Cedars Pet Therapy program, The Skilled Care Center at The Cedars has partnered with another wonderful animal assisted therapy group. Silent Sidekicks is a nonprofit organization located in Lincoln, Maine that provides animal assisted therapy/activities under the services of trained volunteers to communities throughout the State of Maine and the Canadian Province of New Brunswick. Their mission is to enrich people’s lives and promote health and happiness through positive experiences with animals. Silent Sidekicks accomplishes this by providing comfort, support, and companionship through animal assisted therapy and activities as well as by increasing public awareness of the benefits of the human-animal bond.
While at The Cedars, the program will include the use of service dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs. All of the volunteers with Silent Sidekicks consist of fully trained human and animal teams. As always the presence of animals enhances well-being and provides a very therapeutic relationship with residents at The Cedars.
“Having a pet can be greatly beneficial to the health of the older population,” says Karen Snowden, professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Science (CVM). “A pet can provide companionship and social opportunities for the elderly population, as well as physical, psychological, and emotional health benefits.” Studies have demonstrated positive health benefits such as lowered blood pressure, decreased anxiety and increased physical activity.
For more information on wellness and life enrichment at The Cedars, contact us today.