ElderDog has found new homes for 70 dogs in last 2 years
The non-profit organization was founded in 2009
An organization based in Nova Scotia is connecting more and more volunteers with seniors who need help caring for their dogs.
ElderDog has found new homes for 70 dogs in the province over the past two years.
"It fulfills a real need and I think it reassures elderly people because we get very attached to our dogs," said Jerry Craig, who has adopted two dogs through the organization since 2013.
"They're enjoyable to have around. They're like kids. My son always calls them toddlers that never grow up. He's right, it doesn't matter how old they get, they're babies."
Craig began visiting his most recent addition, Heidi, when he volunteered to help her previous owners with insulin shots. The 12-year-old miniature schnauzer is blind and has diabetes.
He adopted her after the previous owners moved into an assisted living home that didn't allow dogs.
"They still talk about her all the time and love it when she gets there, but to give her up was a big thing — it's like giving a kid up, you know? And they had her 11 years. So it's a large step for them, but at least they know where she's going and they know she's in good hands," said Craig.
Ardra Cole founded the non-profit organization in 2009 because she wanted to help dogs whose owners had died.
Based out of Nova Scotia, the organization is currently expanding, with its newest chapters or "Pawds" in P.E.I. and Toronto.
Seniors have someone to spend time with. For somebody, that's the difference in getting outside their house that day or not.- Melissa MacKay, PetFocus
PetFocus, a veterinary group with eight clinics in Nova Scotia, works with the organization. Melissa MacKay, the clinic's client experience coordinator, says ElderDog provides an important service since people looking to adopt dogs often lean toward puppies.
She says the organization also helps seniors who may need temporary help, or extra company.
MacKay says some seniors suffer from isolation, so the bond they have with their pet or a new pet adds to their quality of life.
"It's a win-win situation. Those pets have someone to love them and those seniors have someone to spend time with. For somebody, that's the difference in getting outside their house that day or not," she said.
Craig says Heidi has now become part of his family, which includes two other dogs.
"We certainly won, with this little girl," he said.