Do dogs help you cope with your everyday caregiving duties?

When I'm upset, my dog senses that and cuddles up next to me. Even angry disoriented dementia patients will respond positively to a dog.

I don't know about dogs, but my cousin had a cat. She loved the cat, but her dementia and resulting behavior caused the cat stress. The cat was well cared for, but was not happy. I had it re-homed and she's much happier.

I'm sure others have different stories to tell, but I can't imagine having an ounce of time or energy to devote to a pet, when caring full time for a dementia patient. That's just my take on it.

My mom has 2 dogs that go along with the 6 I had when she moved in, the more the merrier. Her dogs do help in a positive way with her mental status and behavior and I don't mind cleaning up behind them, they aren't housebroken, thankfully they are very little dogs.

ive had nothing but grief where animals are concerned . even a female dog thats been spayed continues to have cycles every few weeks that quite frankly makes dog pee smell like roses in comparison . they emit stress hormones that adversely affect the mood and behavior of humans . im the kind of person who pulls the battery out of my alarm clock except on the mornings that i need it for the purpose of catching an early appointment so if i value peace and quiet enough to quell a ticking clock you can well believe that i cant stand an annoying dog ..
as far as housebreaking them i just slip them silently to the bottom of the septic tank where they can crap for eternity without ever affecting me again .
i tried to stay away from this thread as long as i could but i just went thru 9 months of stinking , yapping h*ll over a couple of the renters dogs so living in what amounts to a dog kennel is still quite fresh in my mind . two weeks ago the renter asked if i was going to let the dogs come back or was she going to have to move . i offered to help her pack TONIGHT..

I would be a complete - without a doubt - insane MESS if it wasn't for my dogs. 2 I put on the plane with me when I moved here. 1 I rescued here. Mom loves them, and they are very protective of her. My 12 year old, "Daphne" sleep with her... she will come into my room and whine if mom is in need during the night. They are my best friends and companions. I don't have time to go out, socialize and meet humans... I much prefer these furry funny lovable non complainers anyway! Besides, my big 80 pounder is a great snuggler and keeps me warm at night. Yes, she sleeps in the bed with me..... she also gets showered brushed and groomed a lot... so no big deal!

I honestly don't know what I would do if I didn't have dogs in my life. They are my reason for living, pretty much.

My Staffie very cleverly picked up the telecare alarm which I'd left on the side table in the sitting room and came to find me in the kitchen. Such good intentions. So little left of the display screen... :/

Sunny, glad you found the cat a home where she's happier. My mother still has her dog, and well, like everything involving my mother, it could turn out to be a difficult situation. It was a 'rescue' who had to overcome a lot of anxiety in his first several years living with my parents, and he needed regular exercise and socializing with other dogs too. Like all dogs do, except this one had "issues" that were clearly much worse when he didn't get these things. When my dad passed away almost 5 years ago, my mother stopped doing everything except feeding him, so now he's elderly, morbidly obese (picture a Dachsund that's wider than he is longer), too neurotic to tolerate other dogs. If the time comes where he'll need a different home, my parents' paperwork states that if I'm unable to care for him (which I am, because we have another dog of our own), I'm to call the rescue place where they got him, and bring him back -- along with a decent sized donation. On the one hand, it's sad, but on the other hand, I know if that ever does need to happen, he'll be much better cared for in his old age.

We have 3 older felines that keep us laughing.... even after 5 years of one of the female cats ringing the doorbell when she wants in, it still puts us into giggles when she still rings the bell. The male cat is a goofy ham, you never know what craziness he will get into next. Yes, pets can be a comic relief :)

I have 2 chihuahuas and my dogs are such a comfort and a happy distraction from my caregiving duties. I would be an emotional wreck without them. My dad passed away about 6 weeks ago and just having my dogs close during this time has been helpful in coping with my grief and in my continuing help with my mom.

Remember that any animal will add to your workload.
They need attention, excercise, feeding and Vet visits.
We live two big dogs.They are my joy and some days my heartach as these attention can give them is often limited by my caregiving duties.
They have been my mother's companion but one is old.My mother identifies with her aches and pains but now I suffer the pain of watching two loved ones age and approach death.
Think hard before you add an animal to your life.They will be completely dependant on you.
Is this what you really need?

I agree with the people on this site if it where not for the Jack Russell Terrier that I wanted 13 years ago I do not know how I would deal with the stress of having to take care of my father and all that goes with him. I love the fact that I have to walk her on a daily basis and that she is there to cuddle and to relief my stress. And she is does protect the house at night and during he day

My pup and my grandpups are a MUST! When I get home I sit down and they all jump on my lap and give me hugs (yes, they do!) and love. Best part of my day! They provide unconditional love, stranger alerts, fun and comic relief. They are a joy and I can't imagine not having them around me. Best snuggle buddies ever!

My dog is my protector first and foremost, as well as my best friend and my comfort. When the stress of caregiving gets to be too much, I go out in the yard and throw a ball for him or just cuddle him. (He's too big to be a lap dog, but he loves to sit beside me and rest his head in my lap when he knows I'm upset or hurting.) When I moved in with Mom as her caregiver, I brought my dog and my 2 finches, which Mom really enjoys watching. Then along came our cat, who was a stray and showed up on our porch one day about 2 years ago. We took him to the vet and got him all up to date on shots, neutered and got a clean bill of health before bringing him inside. He's been wonderful for Mom. He's not a "pet me" kind of cat, but she loves to watch him play with the dog. It gives her something to do other than just watching tv.

I've had dogs before, and found them worth the trouble. Yes, training takes more time, but I am getting exercise I needed, and he makes us laugh. He can be very loving, or a crazy pup, tearing in circles with the toilet brush in his mouth while I try to retrieve it. My elderly aunt was laughing harder than I've ever seen her laugh.

we have shared custody of my daughters chi, and My mom loves her so much. We even took her to the rehab when mom was there. We also have 2 indoor /outdoor cats and several ferals. They are all a source of joy and entertainment for all of us!