Companions: Senior Dogs for Senior People

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Companions: Senior Dogs for Senior People

The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs is working to develop Companions, a program designed to bring senior dogs and senior people together. Medical and psychological research documents the health and emotional benefits of companion animals, especially to senior people.

As part of this program, the Sanctuary will sponsor appropriate senior dogs in Delta Society testing and registration. Dogs certified through Delta Society can then represent the Sanctuary by visiting nursing homes and retirement facilities. In addition, limited scholarships are available for basic training classes to prepare qualifying senior dogs for testing thanks to a generous grant from the Grey Muzzle Organization, a nonprofit founded to help organizations help more senior dogs.

Senior dogs are available to qualified adopters 60 years of age and older for $60, rather than our usual adoption fee of $100.

Sophie

graduate of the Sanctuary's first therapy dog class at 8 years old

The Sanctuary's first therapy dog class for senior dogs (7+) concluded in November 2002 with seven senior dog graduates. The second class concluded in June 2003 and graduated six senior dogs, including Gretchen, the Sanctuary's second therapy dog. Since then over two dozen dogs have passed through our program. The first two classes were partially funded by a generous grant from the Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust, a Key Bank Trust. Contact the Sanctuary for more information on this program.

A Delta Society testing was offered in September 2008 and another in March 2009. Another round of testing is being planned for June or July 2009. In order to participate, your dog should be free of aggression toward people or other animals, capable of several basic obedience commands, and friendly to strangers. For more information about Delta requirements and testing, call the Sanctuary at 216-485-9233 and visit the Delta Society web site. An informational meeting was held at the Adoption & Education Center, 4681 Broadview Road, Cleveland, on April 25, 2009, at 2 PM. An informational meeting is being planned for late summer or early fall. Details will be posted here as they become available.

We have plans to expand our Companions program and organize a senior therapy dog club. Our long range plans include an urban sanctuary, possibly an apartment complex or similar urban dwelling that pairs senior residents with senior dogs in need of fostering. If you are interested in volunteering to help with any aspect of Companions, please contact the Sanctuary for more information.

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