Magic of animal therapy
A reunion between an aged care resident living with dementia and his former horse led to the man regaining his voice and is further demonstration of the benefits of animal therapy.
A reunion between a Blue Care resident living with dementia and his former horse led to the man regaining his voice and the two regularly taking part in animal therapy for mutual benefit.
It was a “magical moment” when former 5th Light Horse Regiment Maleny Troop quartermaster Bob Allen, 77, was reunited with his horse, Benny, on Remembrance Day 2012, explained Jane Suller, service manager at Blue Care Maleny Erowal Aged Care Facility.
Benny had been playing up but when Mr Allen was wheeled forward to lay down poppies on the memorial and the pair reunited, the horse became serene and quiet, she said.
“Then Mr Allen suddenly started speaking to Benny about their old times, which was an emotional and moving moment as Mr Allen rarely speaks,” Ms Suller said.
As Mr Allen reminisced about their various adventures, Benny stayed quietly by his side until the end of the service, she said.
Following the initial reunion Benny became a regular visitor to the facility and was always led to Mr Allen in the Memory Support Unit, until Mr Allen passed away in January 2014.
Mrs Allen said her husband’s experience demonstrated the importance of animal therapy. She said she regularly visited her husband and saw no response or recognition, but when Benny visited everything changed.
Current 5th Light Horse Regiment Maleny Troop quartermaster Lee Dominick said Mr Allen rode and took care of Benny during his five years as a quartermaster, including riding him in parades.
“Quartermasters often develop a close relationship with the horses as their role requires them to maintain equipment, such as horse saddles, while they also have to schedule vet appointments for the horses,” Mrs Dominick said.
After Mr Allen was diagnosed with dementia, Benny changed owners several times until Mrs Dominick and her family purchased him. They began bringing the horse along to the facility for special occasions and to enable Mr Allen and Benny to spend quality time together, she said.
Blue Care service development advisor Denise Edwards said this example of assisting Mr Allen to connect with his past life is often referred to as reminiscence therapy.
“When people living with dementia lose their short term memory it is even more important to tap into past experiences as it can increase self-esteem and well-being,” Ms Edwards said.
The reunion demonstrates person-centred care philosophy with staff members showing understanding and respect for Mr Allen’s values, past experiences, preferences, expressed needs, and previous role as a quartermaster, she said.
