A Google search produces dozens of visiting pet organizations that provide pet therapy visits to elder care facilities. The results are positive and the organizations require visiting pets to be trained for such activities. Ramona Marek reviews a growing trend of allowing seniors to bring their pet from home when they enter a care facility.
I’m supportive of fur, feathers and fins in nursing home settings. There are opportunities for veterinary teams to volunteer, as well as conduct monthly wellness outcalls to monitor pets’ health en masse. These visits can produce great social and local media fodder. More importantly, they provide staff and residents counsel for managing fomite dynamics and potential One Health concerns.
Source: Catster, May 20, 2018. Link.
Residential care facilities understand the importance of pets and, according to the 2010 CDC National Survey of Residential Care Facilities, 39 percent of them had residential pets that include dogs, cats and birds on staff for the residents. The survey also cites that 54 percent of residential facilities allowed residents to bring their personal pets.
INSIGHTS: Can you imagine the experiences generated by having a DVM, a couple of vet nurses and even a behaviorist show up to check the pets, manage health needs and hear the stories of the elderly residents?
Such a visit would be a good place to take along one or two jars of MAXI/GUARD® Oral Cleansing Wipes from Addison Biological Laboratory, an AHD sponsor. < link > Seniors would enjoy the ease of using the wipes to improve dental care and the improvement to pet halitosis as well.