The Attention Deficit Disorder Thread

Have you heard of the baby seal puppet they developed for demented patients? It moves and makes little noises when they cuddle with it. It's supposed to calm them down.

 

No....does it work?

 

Yes, it does! It is just terribly expensive, so only a few clinics/homes have bought one here.

 

Sounds interesting.

 

I want one.

 

It's nice that technology is being used to help the mentally ill.

 

:-|

 

It is amazing how pets, animals and even "toys" such as this one can reach the most closed-off people. In my line of work we often see how therapeutic for example a dog can be.

 

Why do you think that is?

 

As opposed to a what.....? Cat?

 

For the people suffering from dementia... I guess it's the feeling of a soft, furry thing respondng to their touch that has the calming effect, so it's more sensory. Thinking about my clients, there are many reasons a pet is something they can open up to. It doesn't involve the usual confusion and drama and pain that, for them, is what having a relationship with other human beings means.

 

No, I'd keep my cats too. I just love that little baby seal robot. Maybe it would be something for my parents later.

 

You mean like, drugs?

Why is that amazing? People have been adoring domestic critters for millenia. It's nothing new, and very well documented.

 

Smoke break... my co-workers are near....

 

And I still think it's amazing? I know it's nothing new. :roll:

 

Or perhaps a cuddly robotic manatee.

 

You really think it's sensory?......if that was the case it could work with a pillow?

I've always thought of therapeutic pets as being sort of emotional sponges........they let the patient expel most of their emotions into them......of course that's just one point....there would be others like how the pet would be something the patient has to look after thus giving the patients life some stability.

 

Because some of these patients are completely removed from reality.