ICRC Factsheet, June 2010

Three Classes of Animals: 1. Pets are animals living with owners for purposes of love, affection, and company. 2. Emotional Support Animals provide some therapeutic benefit to person with mental or psychiatric disability, requiring no specific training. The mere presence of this animal mitigate the effects of the emotional or mental disability. 3. Service Animals are any animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a physical, intellectual, and mental disability—IE guiding individuals with impaired vision, providing protection or rescue work, pulling a wheel chair, or fetching dropped items.

Long Term Care: an Emotional Journey for Family Members, January 16, 2013

Many times, moving a loved one into a long-term care facility is a true act of love and unselfishness. If the caregiver and the care recipient cannot leave the house, you have both become very isolated. Imagine mom being able to go outside her door to find someone to talk with. There are activities, meals to be shared with friends, and a barrier free area where she can roam.