Pets help improve communication among people with aphasia: study
Monday, 31 July, 2023
New research from the University of South Australia, in partnership with Aphasia SA, has found that pets have a unique ability to improve communication among people with aphasia, a language difficulty after brain injury that can affect a person鈥檚 ability to talk, listen and connect.
Currently, more than 140,000 Australians live with aphasia. The study showed that pets can deliver notable improvements in people鈥檚 emotional and social wellbeing, from boosting their confidence in social situations to providing them with company when they felt low.
UniSA student researcher Charlotte Mitchard said that while every person with aphasia presents differently, the condition often affects a person鈥檚 ability to speak, read, write and understand others.
鈥淎phasia can have a big impact on a person鈥檚 life affecting how they connect and interact with others, as well as how they participate in the community,鈥� Mitchard said.
鈥淧eople with affected communication skills can feel quite isolated and alone. But a pet聽鈥� whether it鈥檚 a dog, a cat or even a fish聽鈥� can give them greater purpose and companionship, which is especially valuable for people who feel isolated because of their condition.
鈥淧ets are also a non-judgemental communication partner, offering friendship without expectations. In fact, one of the most common phrases we heard was 鈥榤y pet doesn鈥檛 care if I can鈥檛 talk properly, they love me anyway鈥�.鈥�
Senior researcher and speech pathologist Professor Maria Kambanaros said the study presents a leaping point for other pet and health research in speech pathology.
鈥淭he next phase of our study will examine how pet ownership can help people who are caring for those with aphasia,鈥� Kambanaros said.
鈥淏eyond that, we鈥檙e also exploring the impact of pet ownership on the wellbeing of people with different acquired neurological disorders, such as Parkinson鈥檚 Disease.
鈥淲e know pets have a positive impact on our lives. By exploring how speech pathologists can support this in therapy, we can promote a far better quality of life.鈥�
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