Generally, cognitive health is a blanket term that refers to an individual’s ability to successfully translate brain signals into the mental and motor processes that facilitate standard adult functioning. This encompasses everything that the brain does—from regulating emotion to enabling us to move, breathe and learn new things. While the constituent components of cognitive health are not easily separated from each other, different specialists tend to focus on specific clusters of functioning. In the case of cognitive decline, and in contrast to mental health (feelings and behaviors), research is primarily interested in the objective mechanics of the mind-body link, considering processes such as speech, memory, coordination, motor functioning and the ability to count. When the breakdown of these abilities reaches a certain degree of severity, doctors will diagnose the individual with dementia.  
 
Dementia is a symptom of many disorders, the most prominent of which is Alzheimer’s, a disease that changes portions of brain tissue and weakens vital connections to other parts of the body. Although dementia and Alzheimer’s are often used interchangeably, it’s important to understand that the former is actually a symptom of the latter, and many other factors can influence the development of dementia.  ​

Patients afflicted with dementia, regardless of its source, often see a major decline in memory functioning, preventing them from recalling essential details about their lives. This is probably the dimension of the disease most prevalent in popular consciousness, frequently appearing in films, television shows and other expressions of culture. What begins as a pattern of frequently misplacing important items might soon advance to a point at which the individual no longer recognizes their loved ones, or place of residence, becoming confused and frightened by what they perceive as the presence of strange people in strange surroundings. As you’d expect, this is a harrowing experience for both the affected individual and their caregiver. In the most severe, yet tragically common, cases, the lack of basic cognitive functioning leads to premature death as the disease weakens the sufferer against other harmful health conditions and renders them unable to care for themselves. Currently, as many as 1 in 3 seniors will die from Alzheimer’s, a number greater than breast and prostate cancer combined.  

Not all forms of cognitive degeneration will appear so severe, and in many cases the general loss of functioning occurs gradually, beginning with what experts call Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD). SCD precipitates the same cluster of symptoms as full-blown dementia, but with much less severity. As such, it often precedes a more serious diagnosis, and can act as a warning system, enabling patients and doctors to identify the potential problem in advance and implement preventative measures. The infographic below lists some of the early warning signs of cognitive decline. ​

Recent studies suggest that over 6 million Americans have Alzheimer’s. Worldwide, experts fear the total number of people afflicted by some kind of dementia will rise from 57 million (measured in 2019) to 153 million (predicted for 2050). These already staggering numbers are expected to grow further as life expectancies increase, and more people age into an at-risk demographic.  
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In 2019 alone, cognitive decline cost global economies $1.3 trillion, with 50% of this attributed to the cost of caring for the afflicted. These costs are spread across society, absorbed by both private individuals caring for their families directly (or paying for an external form of care), and public health institutions and initiatives, already struggling within the budgetary limitations of their respective governments. Ultimately, patients suffering from Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia are not easily managed. They require an average of 5 hours daily care, and many need to be closely monitored to mitigate the risk of harm to themselves or others. It is clear that preventative measures are urgently needed, beginning with an understanding of the disease and those it affects. ​

There is much work to be done before we have a complete understanding of what might prevent various forms of dementia, but both existing data on possible causes, and several new studies, bode well for pet owners. Amongst other things, doctors advise those at risk to keep physically active, maintain social and community connections, and regularly stimulate their brain by trying new activities and learning new things. All these are habits that come naturally to pet owners. Walking a dog, for example, gets the individual moving, while interactions with other pet owners forge and strengthen community bonds. Even visits to the vet, while stressful, can help individuals stay connected to systems of empathy and support. 
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Pet ownership also involves the kind of basic brain activity that strengthens cognitive functioning against decline. Keeping any kind of animal necessitates some kind of schedule, requiring the owner to remain organized as they cover grooming, feeding and other pet care essentials. In these cases, being able to remember what to do and when becomes essential, working out the memory “muscle” and guarding it against atrophy. Animal ownership might even involve a degree of learning, as the individual familiarizes themselves with the particulars of their pet's species or breed. 
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Finally, as researchers see an increasing link between loneliness and dementia, the mere presence of another living creature in the home becomes an invaluable preventative measure. Many elderly pet owners describe talking to their pets, and openly sharing their troubles and concerns. Such carers report feeling a sense of sympathy and understanding from their animal, coupled with an attitude of complete non-judgement; pets provide a near perfect neutral sounding board for their owner’s troubles.  ​

For years, the above observations remained mostly speculative, beginning anecdotally with pet owners eagerly espousing the many ways in which their animals positively influence their mental and physical health. In recent years, as our overall understanding of both the human brain and dementia have evolved, researchers are beginning to examine the possible benefits of pet ownership in a more systematic way. They have become increasingly able to back up their theories with hard data, taking common claims from speculation to somewhere closer to fact. In particular, the findings of a new study correlate pet ownership with higher levels of cognitive functioning, especially in seniors who live alone. 
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Considering other factors that might have affected the participant’s cognitive health, this project “showed that long-term pet owners, on average, had a cognitive composite score that was 1.2 points higher at six years compared to non-pet owners”  (American Academy of Neurology). Specifically, the participants displayed marked improvements in verbal memory, story memory and overall executive functioning. These findings were even more pronounced in the case of black pet owners. Even in those already suffering from dementia, scientists found that interactions with a dog or other pet precipitated a lessening of existing symptoms, likely because they increased the quality of social interaction within the care home setting. In many cases, the participants initially reported the high levels of social isolation associated with an elevated risk of dementia, many of them living alone without regular interactions with friends or family. Pet ownership mitigated these risks. Additionally, a sub-section of the project looked specifically at seniors who walked their dogs, finding additional improvements in such cases.  ​

These findings have undoubtedly validated existing ideas about the positive cognitive effects of pet ownership, adding much-needed hard data to back up observations already offered by both owners and scientists. By considering the “loneliness factor,” as well as dog-walking and other specific facets of pet care (as opposed to examining only the general act), researchers have been able to focus more precisely on what works, and why.
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However, the writers of the study caution that there is still work to be done. Not all of its findings are conclusive, and while the researcher’s methodology accounted for the presence of factors supportive of cognitive health, but unrelated to pet ownership, there’s still the possibility that such influences remained present in some form. Simply put, more research is needed, both to cover possible blind spots in the existing research, and to strengthen established findings with more extensive data. ​

Anyone even vaguely familiar with our mission at PAWS/LA will understand why this dementia study is of such importance to us. Not only does it pertain to a segment of our core client base (seniors), but it speaks to a developing pattern of socio-scientific research that suggests pet ownership is objectively good for everyone. The facts extend beyond attempts to arrest cognitive decline. In a broader sense, the scientific link between the human-animal bond and individual health is going from strength to strength, with research showing that animals can help reduce blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health, as well as decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety, especially in military veterans. ​

The science matters. It lends strength to the overall argument that people and animals are better together, making it more than just an opinion. There are those who still consider pet ownership a luxury, arguing that people struggling for resources shouldn’t have an animal; that their pet should be the first thing to go at times of hardship. To these people, pets are something we enjoy, not something that we need. This fundamentally erroneous belief underestimates the now measurable impact that service animals have on their owners’ lives. While they might not occupy the same level of necessity as food and water—elements without which a person will die--animals are far from a luxury item. For years, our clients have been describing their pets as a lifeline, a reason for living; some would (and have) even given up shelter to keep their animal in cases when the only available housing refused to allow pets. 
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Scientific studies vindicate all these points, drawing a hard line between pet ownership and an individual’s health. They add an objective, measurable dimension to subjective arguments, freeing them from a reliance on individual testimony alone. Science gives us a way to prove the potential physical and mental damage done to those separated from their pets, or denied animal companionship to begin with. This strengthens the advocacy position of organizations like PAWS/LA, and gives our friends and allies an invaluable legal argument for protective housing laws and policies; it potentially increases the scope of what can be considered a service animal, and broadens social and medical attitudes towards animal assisted therapies; it may even make the government think more carefully about the resources it's willing to allocate to pet owners in need. While there’s still a lot of work to be done, the more data we have, the harder it will be for opposing parties to argue that the human-animal bond is incidental to the overall health of society.  
For seniors, animal ownership is proving a powerful tool in the fight against dementia and other forms of cognitive decline. For the rest of us, it’s yet another reason to seriously consider the benefits of a society in which pet ownership is available to all, regardless of their physical or economic status.  ​

My name is Juliet Lippman, my friends call me JJ. I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and moved to Los Angeles four years ago to go to the University of Southern California where I study Communication and Cinematic Arts.
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Through an occupational therapy class I am taking as an elective, I have spent time learning about the power of animals in helping our mental and physical health. As we have learned in class, and as I have learned through my personal experiences with both of my dogs, Penelope and Buttercup, having the love and consistency of an animal greatly improves our lives.

This learning led me to Paws/LA, where I have begun volunteering. Volunteering at Paws/LA has been an amazing experience for a multitude of reasons. My first deliveries went smoothly, and all of the clients were kind, thankful, and courteous. Further, knowing that I am a part of helping animals stay with their loving owners is a privilege that I do not take lightly.
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Not only is the work at Paws/LA incredible and fulfilling but the ability to volunteer on my own time and with my friends adds an uniquely fun aspect. Overall, I feel grateful that USC led me to Paws/LA, as I have found my time here rewarding and enjoyable.

​Service animals play a crucial role in providing assistance, companionship, and support to individuals with disabilities. They are highly trained to perform specific tasks that help mitigate their owner's limitations. While dogs are the most common type of service animals, other animals such as miniature horses can also serve in this capacity. If you have a beloved pet that you believe can be trained to assist you or someone else with a disability, registering them as a service animal might be an option worth exploring. In this blog post, we'll delve into the process of registering your pet as a service animal, the benefits it brings, the legal aspects involved, and the steps you need to take.

​Service animals are not the same as therapy animals or emotional support animals. The key distinction lies in their specific training and the tasks they are trained to perform. Service animals are trained to perform tasks that directly assist an individual with a disability. These tasks could include alerting someone with hearing loss to sounds, guiding visually impaired individuals, pulling a wheelchair, or even detecting impending medical issues such as seizures or changes in blood sugar levels. The primary focus of a service animal is to enable its owner to lead a more independent and fulfilling life by providing essential assistance.

• Increased Independence: For individuals with disabilities, service animals can provide a new level of independence that might otherwise be challenging to achieve. The tasks performed by service animals can significantly reduce reliance on others for everyday activities.

• Improved Emotional Well-being: The companionship and support of a well-trained service animal can have a positive impact on an individual's emotional well-being. The bond formed between the owner and their service animal can be deeply rewarding.

 

• Enhanced Safety: Service animals can be trained to perform tasks that ensure the safety of their owner. This could include tasks like guiding them away from hazards, alerting them to dangerous situations, or providing support during medical episodes.

 

• Legal Protections: Individuals with registered service animals are entitled to certain legal protections, such as access to public places that may otherwise have restrictions on pets. These protections are granted under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the United States.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law in the United States that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Under the ADA, service animals are defined as dogs (and in some cases, miniature horses) that are individually trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities. This definition is crucial, as it outlines the requirements for a pet to be considered a service animal:

• Task-Oriented Training: A service animal must be trained to perform tasks directly related to the individual's disability. These tasks must be beyond the basic functions of a pet.

 

• Control and Behavior: A service animal must be under the control of its handler at all times. The animal should be well-behaved and not cause disruptions in public places.

 

• Public Access: Service animals are allowed to accompany their owners in most public places, including restaurants, stores, public transportation, and other facilities that are open to the general public.

 

• Documentation: While service animals are not required to wear special vests or carry documentation, they may be asked to demonstrate their trained tasks in situations where their purpose is questioned.

​Assess Your Pet's Suitability: Not all pets are suitable candidates for becoming service animals. Assess your pet's temperament, trainability, and willingness to learn. Consider consulting with a professional dog trainer experienced in service animal training to gauge your pet's potential.
 
Identify Specific Tasks: Determine the tasks that your pet can be trained to perform that will directly assist you or the individual with a disability. These tasks should be related to the disability and go beyond the basic functions of a pet.
 
Training and Socialization: Enroll your pet in a comprehensive training program with a focus on task-specific training, public behavior, and socialization. This training should be conducted by a qualified professional who has experience in service animal training.
 
Legal Understanding: Familiarize yourself with the legal requirements and protections provided by the ADA or the equivalent law in your country. Understanding your rights and responsibilities as a service animal handler is essential.
 
No Formal Registration: It's important to note that there is no official or formal registration process for service animals in the United States. Websites that claim to offer "official" registration for service animals are often scams. A service animal is defined by its training and tasks, not by a registration certificate.
 
Public Behavior and Etiquette: Your service animal should be well-behaved and not disrupt public spaces. Proper behavior includes staying calm around people and other animals, not begging for food, and not causing damage to property.
 
Communicate Clearly: While service animals are not required to wear special vests or identification, having a clear and polite explanation ready for situations where questions arise can be helpful. Focus on describing the trained tasks your service animal performs.
 
Be Prepared to Demonstrate Tasks: In situations where there might be doubts about your service animal's purpose, be prepared to demonstrate the specific tasks your animal is trained to perform.

​Registering your pet as a service animal can be a life-changing decision for both you and the individual with a disability you are assisting. The process requires careful consideration, proper training, and a thorough understanding of legal requirements. Service animals contribute to a more inclusive and accessible society, empowering individuals to lead independent lives with the support and companionship of their dedicated and trained four-legged companions. If you believe your pet has the potential to become a service animal, take the necessary steps to ensure they receive the proper training and care to make a positive impact on the lives of those in need.