Churchill et al., 1999

Churchill M, Safaoui J, McCabe BW, Baun MM. (1999). Using a therapy dog to alleviate the agitation and desocialization of people with Alzheimer's disease. J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv., 37(4):16-22.

1. Short-term exposure to a therapy dog can reduce the number of agitation behaviors in institutionalized persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD), particularly during the period of agitation known as sundown syndrome. 2. The presence of a therapy dog can increase socialization behaviors among a group of persons with AD. 3. A therapy dog can be used as an adjunct to other calming interventions for persons with AD.