Life begins at RETIREMENT

Recently, I blogged about Depression at Retirement. I received several good comments about how to handle depression. In talking with a friend, I was brought to an interesting idea: Pet Therapy or Animal Assisted Therapy. A pet can assist the retiree in the following areas. A dog is especially good as a pet therapy.

How does it helps the pet owners fight depression? Here are several considerations:

- Exercises: owning a pet especially a dog helps the depressed person exercise. Exercise routine may help relieve depressive symptoms. When you own a dog, you have to walk the dog, bathe it, brush its coat, go to the store to buy chow and other care items. The depressed people gets moving and exercises.
- Affection: a good way to reduce stress is to give your pet affection. This reduces blood pressure, and improving quality of life. The pet owner can feel good again.
- Unconditional Love: In return, the pet will give the owner unconditional love. This is what a pet is programmed to do...return the affection. This in itself is therapeutic.
- Fights loneliness: The ongoing companionship offered by the pet fights loneliness of the depressed person. A pet is always there, by the side of the depressed person.

Selecting a pet is critical. As I mentioned, a dog may be a better therapy pet. Still, for it to be one, it has to have an outstanding temperament, tolerates other animals and wants to be around people including children.

To find a right pet companion, you may want to visit your local pet shop or SPCA. However, if you prefer to try out this idea, go visit a local Animal Assisted Therapy hospital. They may have pets that you can visit.

Good luck.