Animals can be great topics of conversation, evoke activity, and provide comfort. Stroking a hairy pet can be calming, and interaction with pets can encourage play and activity. Following a dementia diagnosis is not a good time to introduce a new pet to the household. However, you might know of a park or other places in your community where dogs are brought by their owners to play with other dogs. Alternatively, you might know someone with a pet that you can ask to visit. Later in the disease, robotic pets or even soft toys have shown to be a good replacement, without the possible negative aspects of traditional pets.

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