The pandemic's fur-clad pioneer created a positive impac

Did you know that research shows that meeting a calm, safe dog promotes well-being? It's actually true, and it's something that Nanette Westergård, a project researcher at Novia University of Applied Sciences, and her social service dogs witness during every client visit. 

The purpose of the "Lev och Lär" (Live and Learn) project at Novia UAS was to promote home living for the elderly, support community and social relationships, and reduce loneliness. This purpose became a challenge when the Covid-19 pandemic broke out at the beginning of 2020, in the middle of the project period. How could one create a sense of community among the elderly if they couldn't meet physically? 

It was fortunate that Nanette Westergård was part of the project staff! Nanette had previously worked with her social service dog Rosie in her own company. A new solution emerged. What if the project's goal, to support and activate the elderly, could be reached with the help of the service dog?

And so, it was. The innovative solution consisted of interactive videos shown on the project's Facebook page and Larsmo Local TV. In the videos, one could, for example, participate in exercise sessions led by dog handler Nanette with Rosie as an assistant, or follow Rosie on adventures in Ostrobothnia and guess the places she visited based on clues. 

"Activating the elderly through interactive videos with social service dogs is a groundbreaking method in Finland," says Nanette Westergård.

According to her, this had not been done in Finland before the project at Novia UAS. When the pandemic situation eased, Rosie's work on the project could continue with physical meetings. The elderly then got to meet the dog they had seen on the screen. 

The project was carried out in collaboration with the association Jakobstads Åldringsvänner r.f., a valuable partner that runs its own service housing where physical meetings were arranged when the pandemic allowed. The association also provided direct contact with the elderly, who were the project's target group.

The actual meeting with the service dog is carefully designed to ensure that each visit is safe. The team always enters a client visit as if it were the first time, with the dog leashed and at a distance. Only when everyone in the group is comfortable interacting with the dog is it unleashed. Westergård says that boundaries are important, both for the dog and the client, and there are specific guidelines for how the meeting is handled. 

The basic idea of the exercises in the "Lev och Lär" project, as well as in Westergård's own work with the service dogs, is that they are easily adapted to different cognitive levels and abilities. The dog-assisted exercises can, for example, consist of memory training, where Rosie can choose a word by throwing a die, and then someone in the group has to come up with a song with that word. Participants can contribute in different ways based on their ability, from singing along to just listening and enjoying or tapping along to the rhythm. Other exercises encourage conversation, for example, Rosie throws a die with pictures that lead to different levels of discussion based on the picture the die lands on. Westergård can engage clients in discussions at different levels. All target groups can benefit from the positive effects of meeting the service dog. The dog is there as a companion, support, and encourages activation. 

Westergård and the service dog Rosie continue their work as a service dog team, both with her own business and in research and development projects at Novia University of Applied Sciences. If you want to see more of Nanette and Rosie, and also the newly graduated service dog Honey, you can follow their Instagram account and Facebook page. 
 

Our RDI Spotlight highlights the lasting impact of Novia University of Applied Sciences' research, development, and innovation (RDI) efforts on the world around us.