Elderly Man with Alzheimer's Instantly Lights Up Each Time His Favorite Dog Visits
Dogs are wonderful for many reasons. If you’ve had the pleasure of owning a pup, you probably already know what a lot of those are.
But one of the qualities that makes them such good teachers, therapists and friends is their ability to listen and communicate without words.
Dogs speak a universal language that can shear through a lot of common communication problems. Don’t know a particular language? That’s fine!
Can’t speak at all? Doesn’t matter! If you can reach down and pat a dog on the head, give them a treat or take them for a walk, you’ll be their new best friend.
This is part of why therapy dogs are such a wonderful addition to rehab and care facilities. People light up when they see a furry friend.
Petting a dog can even lower your stress levels and put you into a calmer, more relaxed state. And for people recovering from illnesses and surgeries or who have experienced memory loss, those benefits are enormous.
Cake is one of those dogs. She wasn’t always the therapeutic superstar she is today, though.
When she was around 8 weeks old she was found on the side of the road. Her rescuer, Michelle, initially thought the pup was a rodent of some sort.
The dog, which looks like a shepherd mix of some sort, grew up and developed behavioral issues that made her a force to be reckoned with.
Fortunately, Michelle studied dog psychology and training and was able to work with Cake until she was a much happier and better-behaved dog.
There was a very specific reason they were working toward that, though. Cake had originally belonged to Michelle’s “parents” (biological grandparents).
They had cared for Cake before but then moved into assisted living. Michelle’s Papa was suffering from Alzheimer’s and had forgotten many things.
But he hadn’t forgotten Cake — at least, not in the general sense. Sometimes he forgets Cake is a girl and calls her a “good boy,” but he adores having her around.
Thanks to Michelle’s work with Cake, Papa and Cake can spend still spend time together, which both of them obviously enjoy.
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