Animal Companions
Loneliness can strike anyone; especially people who have lost their long time partner, they are lost and lonely and we as pets can be an answer to that loneliness.
Those of us that are specially trained animal companions can provide unconditional love, we give people something warm and furry to care for, making them feel needed also giving us lots of extra attention.
We can be especially effective, for people who feel they have nothing to live for and feel they have nothing to give anymore, or those who have lost many of their family and friends, or feel they have been abandoned by their family, who are in fact are just busy with work and raising their young families, sometimes living in other states.
What Suits You?
The first thing that should be determined is what kind of animal companion suits you and your living arrangements. If you live in an apartment or retirement village, we may not be allowed to be companions to you.
I am a small dog and I may be all right, but some places may only allow a pet if you have had it for some time before you move in, but once our kind pass on you wont be allowed another of to fill the gap. If you own your home you will of course, not have restrictions.
We Both Need Exercise
Owners of animal companions need to remember that if we are a dog, we must be walked at least once a day. If you take a daily walk anyway, this will not be a problem, but for someone with limited mobility it could be, if you have a mobility scooter you will be able to let us run or walk along side you and we just love to do that and it can work very well for us both.
Nursing Homes and Hospitals
Some nursing homes will have a resident cat that is allowed to wander the rooms and grounds, while others have some animal companions dogs who visit the home or hospital each week.
We bring joy to the elderly and disabled humans. Children can also benefit and animal companions can put smiles on the faces of children in hospital. We love the children too and try very hard not to get too excited as that can make a child become scared.
The children are often surprised, that we are allowed to visit them and for some, it may be their very first contact with an animal.
Companion Dogs
We as companion dogs all undergo special training, and are screened to make certain our behavior is suitable, we also receive regular health checks to make sure we are in the best of health, we must also be bathed and groomed, before visiting the hospital or nursing homes and we are always under the control of our handler.
Evidence shows that quality of life for those we visited is enhanced by providing positive distraction from their loneliness and giving them companionship.
This option could be best way to help elderly people adjust to their new environment as any major change can often be traumatic.
Oscar
A Dogs Yarn
Hi Rita,
There was a lovely story in our local newspaper this week about a dear lady in her 80′s who was living with her daughter and family and they’d got her a mature dog to keep her company while she was home alone during the day. As well as being wonderful for the lady, it was great for the dog – it would probably have been put down otherwise. A young puppy would have been too hectic for the lady so somebody’s ‘unwanted’ dog was the perfect option.
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