Looking for a great gift to give an elderly friend who had to give up independent living? Want to spread some holiday cheer? Here’s an idea to put to use so long as you first run it by the director of the local assisted living facility or at your friend’s nursing home. Take your friendly (and safe!) pet to visit now and again. Or find an organized pet visitation program where you might volunteer.

If you are a client, you likely know already that at Fleming & Curti, plc, we’re big on pets. We love Mama Kitty more for her companionship than her mousing skills in our basement. We like to think that Wyatt, our wonder-Corgi, has more groupies than some rock-stars. (By the way, Wyatt’s recent back surgery was a success. He is again seeing clients daily in the conference room.) In our office, we have observed nervous clients relax when stroking Mama Kitty and brighten visibly just seeing Wyatt enter the lobby. Perhaps our favorite: the nervous school counselor who stroked Wyatt throughout her conference, ending with "I know why you have a dog in here—and it’s working."

Wyatt’s impact on residents during brief visits at an assisted living facility is astonishing. We have seen residents cry tears of joy when petting Wyatt because he reminds them of a beloved pet they once had or because they are overwhelmed by the contact with an unconditionally accepting, soft creature. As much as we adore Wyatt, we think that pets with similar dispositions can produce similar results for assisted living or nursing home residents who are unable to keep a pet.

As ASU professor William Arnold describes in a recent Arizona Republic article, studies have shown that among seniors living alone, those with pets have overall better physical and mental health. ("Seniors with pets tend to have better health." October 20, 2004, Professor Arnold’s research suggests having a pet reduces both blood pressure and doctor’s visits.

Visiting pets can and do have a positive effect as well. For most who have to give up independent living, ill health is the causative factor. Having to give up a pet upon entering a facility is a telling blow for psychological and physical health. Seeing the happiness that Wyatt delivers during his visits, we think the health benefit is clear for former pet owners as well as for those who never had a pet.

Pet therapy is also good for those who deliver it. To learn more about an established pet visitation program in Arizona, check out the website for Pets on Wheels of Scottsdale, Inc. More research information on interactions between the elderly and their pets is detailed at the University of California at Davis' School of Veterinary Medicine website.

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330 N. Granada Avenue, Tucson, Arizona 85701
520-622-0400 /  FAX: 520-203-0240