The Impact of a Resident Dog on an Institution for the Elderly: Effects on Perceptions and Social Interactions1.

A longitudinal case study was made of a sub-unit of a nursing home to examine the perceptions and social interactions of patients and staff after introduction of a resident dog. A behavioral mapping procedure was used to determine staff and patient interactions 6 weeks before and 6 weeks and 22 week...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Gerontologist Vol. 29; no. 2; pp. 216 - 224
Autores principales: Winkler, Anne, Fairnie, Helen, Gericevich, Frank, Long, Michelle
Formato: Journal Article
Publicado: Oxford University Press / USA 1989
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:A longitudinal case study was made of a sub-unit of a nursing home to examine the perceptions and social interactions of patients and staff after introduction of a resident dog. A behavioral mapping procedure was used to determine staff and patient interactions 6 weeks before and 6 weeks and 22 weeks after the dog's arrival. Interviews were also conducted with patients and staff. Six weeks after the dog' arrival, a significant increase in frequency of interactive behaviors was seen for both staff and patients. By 22 weeks, behaviors for patients had reverted to base-line levels, while remaining high for staff.