Dirty Dog

About

Toy for bathing dementia patients

Dirty Dog is a bath time companion kit, designed to improve the bathing experience of patients with Alzheimer’s disease for whom bathing is often a frightening activity that compromises dignity and privacy. Composed of a microfibre sponge dog and black charcoal soap, the Dirty Dog kit places the sponge dog, not the bather, at the centre of the experience. When applying the charcoal soap to the dog, it appears to become dirty, shifting the focus from taking a bath to washing the dog. While bathing the dog, the soap lathers and washes the user simultaneously. Having a soft pet-like companion that he or she must care for gives the user a sense of purpose in the bathroom, taking the focus away from their own experience.