Love me, Love my Pet

I love how pet owners have such passion for their furry friends. I live in a suburb where dogs and their owners are part and parcel of the neighbourhood. The café owners love the dogs almost as much as their non-furry customers. Pets view their owners with such awe and unconditional love. 

As a speech pathologist, I never imagined that pets may play an important role in helping those who have aphasia – different to dysphagia (a swallowing problem).

Aphasia affects the ability to comprehend and communicate in verbal and/or written language. It is a highly frustrating condition where more often than not, the person affected, knows what they want to say but is hampered in doing so.

Charlotte Mitchard, a University of South Australia student researcher, has conducted a study that reveals that pets play a significant role in enhancing the emotional and social aspects of the lives of those affected. From bolstering confidence in social situations to providing much-needed companionship during low moments, pets offer a source of solace and support. Not surprisingly, many participants expressed sentiments such as, “My pet doesn’t care if I can’t talk properly; they love me anyway.”

Read more about this valuable research at:

https://healthcarechannel.co/pets-show-promise-in-improving-communication-and-well-being-for-people-…