Pets can play an important role in our lives as we age. As we grow older, knowing that you’re loved, or that someone cares about you, isn’t necessarily enough, and that need to feel needed, and appreciated for what you do, increases. Pets fulfill this need because they depend on their owners for care and attention. In return, the pets offer unconditioinal love and unqualified approval.
Studies have documented that petting a dog or cat lowers blood pressure in hypertensive patients and that older people show improved alertness when caring for a pet. Pets often seem to be especially valuable for some people experiencing major life changes, such as illness or the loss of a loved one.
Depression can often be avoided by owning a pet. Pets also encourage their owner to be more physically active by playing with them or taking them on a walk. Pets amuse us, make us laugh and improve our overall morale.
Pet owners tend to remain more interested in events in their community and in their surroundings. They are not as lonely as perhaps they once were. Pets prevent or reduce absent-mindedness or bewilderment by communicating the sense of time and by maintaining a rhythm of the day.
Pets need love, companionship and attention just like the rest of us. If you know of an older adult that could use a friend and companion, please consider contacting one of the adoption or fostering agencies below or your local P.A.W.S. shelter.
SENIOR PET ADOPTION AND FOSTERING AGENCIES
Purina Pets for Seniors - Purina partners with more than 200 shelters nationwide to provide senior citizens with reduced cost pet adoptions. Participating humane shelters are reimbursed $50 for every senior adoption to help defray the costs of spaying or neutering‚ vaccinations‚ and other fees.
The Silver Paws Program connects mature pet lovers with homeless mature pets. Part of AARF’s overall foster program network, Silver Paws foster parents participate in foster orientations and trainings with other fosters, which can serve as an antidote to the isolation many mature adults face. The program covers the cost of veterinary care, food and supplies for the foster pets, alleviating the financial concerns that are common.
Pets need love, companionship and attention just like the rest of us. They need to be adopted and rescued because in most cases, no one wants them any longer or they were found dumped after going through a horrific ordeal.
If you know of a senior that could use a friend, please consider adoption. Contact your local animal shelter today! To learn more visit: importance of pets
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