Animal-Assisted Interventions in Dementia Care

Animal-assisted interventions (AAI) encompass a spectrum of therapeutic approaches that employ animals—most commonly dogs but also horses, cats and other species—to enhance the health and wellbeing of individuals living with dementia. These interventions are rooted in the recognition that interactions with animals can provide sensory stimulation, emotional engagement and meaningful social contact. In dementia care settings, such activities range from brief visitation sessions with therapy dogs to more structured programmes involving equine-assisted services or robotic companion animals. Evidence suggests that AAI can alleviate behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), such as agitation, depression and apathy, while also promoting social inclusion, communication and a sense of identity. Mechanistically, the presence of animals can serve as a non-threatening focus of attention, reducing perceived stress and supporting emotional regulation. Moreover, these interventions can be tailored to individual needs, aligning with a person-centred care ethos that respects personal history, preferences and preserved abilities. Across residential and community-based environments, AAI has demonstrated global applicability, with adaptations for cultural context and resource availability. While the evidence base continues to evolve, current research underscores the potential of AAI as a complementary non-pharmacological approach that enriches traditional dementia care pathways and fosters quality of life for people with cognitive impairment.

Research from Nature Portfolio

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Animal-Assisted Interventions in Dementia Care publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in animal-assisted interventions in dementia care across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI): Therapeutic or supportive activities involving trained animals to promote physical, emotional and social wellbeing in human participants.

Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD): A spectrum of non-cognitive manifestations of dementia, including agitation, depression, apathy and aggression.

Person-centred care: An approach to healthcare that respects and responds to the individual’s preferences, needs and values, ensuring that patient values guide clinical decisions.

References

1. Equine-assisted services for people living with dementia: a systematic review. Alzheimer's Research & Therapy (2024).
2. “When she goes out, she feels better:” co-designing a Green Activity Program with Hispanic/Latino people living with memory challenges and care partners. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience (2024).
3. What are the effects of animals on the health and wellbeing of residents in care homes? A systematic review of the qualitative and quantitative evidence. BMC Geriatrics (2023).