The Many Benefits of Pets to Older Adults
By Harriette Mishkin
Marianne is a pet lover and has had dogs her whole life. When she moved to Fitler Square in central Philadelphia from Hoboken, NJ, twelve years ago, her dog joined her and adjusted to the city environment quickly. His presence during walks and visits to the dog park sparked conversation and encouraged her interactions with others.
“I really never thought about the benefits of having a pet as I age in place”, said Marianne, a long-time member of Penn’s Village, “but now that you asked, I can tell you that it gave me both companionship and a sense of responsibility. My dog has to be walked, fed, taken outside for the bathroom, and given a comfortable place to sleep.” She shared how happy he is to see her when she returns home from activities, and she feels the same way.
Recent research findings by the Mather Institute (https://bit.ly/4lQwN82) suggest that having furry friends can lead to healthier lives. Across all ages, human-animal interactions offer unique benefits to older adults – companionship, purpose, and emotional support that helps to ease loneliness and reduce stress.
Pets can play a crucial role in helping older adults navigate challenging life experiences. Older adults lack the structure they once had earlier in their lives through work and family responsibility, so tasks such as feeding and walking pets add structure and routine, while the emotional bond that forms between the pet owner and their animals adds to one’s psychological wellbeing. Penn’s Village offers many services for members: companionship, rides, minor household repairs, technical assistance, errands, Health Pals, home organization, and emergency pet care. And now our newest service includes a certified therapy dog.
Penn’s Village Welcomes Norman, a Certified Therapy Dog
Meet Norman, a certified therapy dog and Penn’s Village newest volunteer. Norman and his human partner Hilary are residents of Society Hill. Hilary has owned Norman for two years, since he was a year old. He is a furry, 50+ pounds, fully grown, 50% Golden Retriever and 50% Poodle. Therapy dogs training takes between 6-12 months and certification as a therapy dog is required for hospital visits. A certified therapy dog must be friendly, patient, confident, gentle, and at ease in all situations. Therapy dogs must enjoy human contact. No jumping and no barking. Norman passed these requirements with flying colors!
Having Norman as a companion and having him help others gives Hilary joy. They share unconditional love which Hilary believes has added seven years to her life. She describes Norman as easy to train because of his temperament; he is smart and sweet, a good listener, and has the ability to sense danger.
Certified therapy dogs like Norman can…
· help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease
· keep you moving, helping you maintain a healthy weight and reducing doctor visits
· support brain health and keep your mind sharp
· give you a reason to start your day with energy and enthusiasm
· reduce feelings of depression and anxiety, improving overall mental well-being
· offer love and connection that can brighten your day
· help you feel calmer and more relaxed
· provide unconditional love and can help ease loneliness
Penn’s Village staff will work with Hillary to connect Norman with members interested in home visits. If you are a member of Penn’s Village or wish to join, visit our website at www.pennsvillage.org or call 215-925-7333.
As Marianne prepares to downsize and meet the requirements of high rise living, she now has a cat whose habits and interactions are very different from a dog. She still has a pet as a companion, but pet care requirements and owner expectations are different. She suggests potential pet owners consider the age of the animal and how much training it will take, if pet insurance is worth the investment, and if your residence allows pets.
(This article originally appeared in the Fall Quarterly of the Center City Residents Association and can be found under NEWS on our website.
Penn’s Village helps older adults stay active, age in place in their own homes, and engage, connect, and thrive with others in our Village community. If you enjoy what you are reading, you can help ensure our continued viability and visibility by sharing our website and this post with others.
Harriette Mishkin is a retired management consultant living in central Philadelphia for more than 60 years. Her background is both in nonprofit and business organizations. As she planned her activities long before retirement, she chose to become a volunteer in various nonprofit organizations. She has been a Kimmel Center Tour Guide for almost 25 years and a Penn’s Village volunteer with the Marketing and Communications Committee for more than 12 years. She currently serves as co-chair.