Dementia Dog is an exciting new research project, which aims to discover the impact
a pet dog can have on a person with dementia. The project is a collaboration
between Glasgow School of Art, Alzheimer Scotland and Dogs for the Disabled,
with expert advice from Guide Dogs UK. It has received funding from the Design
Council and the Scottish Government.

Dogs will also be trained to help people undress, open cupboards,
drawers, fridges and washing machines, flick light switches and fetch
medication.
Animals can be taught to recognise a specific movement that their owner
would make when in
distress. The dog would then either
press an emergency button on a telephone or bark loudly to raise the
alarm. Dogs will undergo 6 month training program using positive
reinforcement techniques.
So far the project has been given £52,000 of Government funding, but
needs to raise a further £130,000 to launch a Pilot Scheme later
this year. Eventually, it is hoped the initiative will allow many more of
the 750,000 Britons who suffer from dementia to retain their independence for
longer. If the scheme developed by Alzheimer Scotland, gains funding, it will be the
first time that dogs have been used to assist those with dementia...
‘We’re really hopeful the dogs will not only be a huge practical help but
also provide great emotional support. People with the condition can easily
become isolated and the dog will be a constant companion, which will help them
to keep social.’ Joyce
Gray - Alzheimer Scotland
Four students at Glasgow School of Art came up with the
idea after Alzheimer Scotland challenged the college to
suggest an innovative way to improve the lives of dementia sufferers. The
concept was pitched to the Design Council, which in partnership with the Department of Health was offering
funding for projects that helped those with early-stage dementia.
The Dementia Dogs scheme has now gained the
backing of charities Dogs for the Disabled and Guide Dogs, which already provide dogs with
similar skills to help those with physical disabilities.
The number of people with dementia is set to hit one million by 2021 and 1.7mil
by 2050. It’s believed that 6 out of 10 people with the condition are
undiagnosed.
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