Teresa La Ferla
Papers
1
Total Citations
198
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1
About
Teresa La Ferla is a leading researcher in the intersection of geriatric psychiatry and animal-assisted interventions, with a particular focus on improving quality of life for elderly patients affected by dementia and psychiatric disorders. Her most cited work, a comprehensive 2013 review on animal-assisted interventions for this population, has garnered 198 citations and serves as a foundational text in the field. La Ferla’s major contributions include synthesizing evidence on how structured interactions with therapy animals can reduce agitation, depression, and social isolation in institutionalized older adults. Her research bridges clinical psychology and veterinary science, offering practical frameworks for implementing these interventions in long-term care settings. Beyond her review work, La Ferla has advanced understanding of non-pharmacological approaches to dementia care, emphasizing dignity and emotional well-being over symptom management alone. Her scholarship is widely cited by clinicians designing therapeutic programs and by researchers exploring the neurobiological mechanisms behind human-animal bonding. For students and professionals in gerontology, psychiatry, or animal-assisted therapy, La Ferla’s work provides both a rigorous evidence base and a compassionate vision for aging care.
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Top Papers
- 1