By Bill Hull, Director of Marketing, Atherton

I must be honest. I really miss my dog, Annie. She wasn’t the best dog I ever had, and certainly, not the smartest. I admit that I did my share of complaining about her. I didn’t cry that day (too much) and I don’t regret the decision. But I have missed her ever since that fateful morning one snowy December when it was clear that she was suffering too much for either of us to bear another minute. She was so much more than a pet. She was my only companion during a time of upheaval and many losses.  If you have a pet you know all about it.

If you don’t have a pet, then maybe you should consider getting one.  Scientific research says that bringing a pet into your family provides huge health benefits, especially for seniors. A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society showed that seniors who live by themselves and have pets tend to have better physical health and mental wellbeing than those who don’t. They’re more active, less stressed, and have better overall health.  The simple act of holding an animal can relieve symptoms of depression, lower blood pressure, and even decrease surgical patients’ healing times. Another study showed that elderly pet owners had significantly lower blood pressure overall than their peers without pets. Other studies demonstrate that widows who have cats are better off medically during their first year, which is a time of critical stress, than widows who do not. In addition, the long-term survival rates of heart attack victims who owned a pet are significantly longer than for those who did not. According to The Humane Society, “people with pets are better able to remain emotionally stable during crises than those without. Pets can also work as a buffer against social isolation. Often the elderly have trouble leaving home, so they don’t have a chance to see many people. Pets give them a chance to interact. This can help combat depression, one of the most common medical problems facing seniors today. The responsibility of caring for an animal may also give the elderly a sense of purpose, a reason to get up in the morning. Pets also help seniors stick to regular routines of getting up in the morning, buying groceries, and going outside, which help motivate them to eat and sleep regularly and well.”

Here are some tips if you want to consider getting a pet:

  1. Talk to the people in your support circle about your ideas for a pet. Gather input from your kids, your friends, perhaps your medical doctor, and those who know you best. Talk to other pet owners and test your theories. Everywhere I go I find that people are willing to talk about their pets so take your time and listen well.
  2. Young puppies and kittens are often more excitable and require more attention than older pets; so many animal care professionals advise seniors to consider adopting an adult dog or cat. They may fit your lifestyle better and they won’t need to be house trained.
  3. The first places to look (and the last in my opinion) are the area shelters. More than 500,000 pets are left and sometimes euthanized in shelters each year due to circumstances where their owners cannot care for them. Organizations like The Humane Society, The SPCA, and local pet shelters can help you to rescue one that probably has a great track record for being a great friend.
  4. Make sure that you understand and are ready to accept the responsibility of a new pet. No doubt there will be some noise and some mess. It takes a regular routine to stay on top of feeding, watering, grooming, exercising, and cleaning up after an animal; and there will some costs involved. Being responsible for another life often gives addedpurpose to the lives of those who are living alone or far from loved ones. This was certainly true for Annie and me.
  5. Take advantage of resources for seniors. More and more help is available. Check out Pets for the Elderly Foundation, Purina Pets for Seniors, and Seniors for Seniors. Petfinder is another organization that can match seniors with a suitable pet friend. There are local programs where you can receive help choosing, financing, adopting, and getting started as a pet owner.
  6. Have a back-up plan. If you are planning to look at senior living options, make sure to find outif they are pet friendly. We have some wonderful characters of the pet variety at Atherton. They are good citizens who enrich the lives of more than just their owners. Also, make sure you have a relationship with someone who is willingto pinch hit for you in case of an emergency.

You and your pet can make a “peach of a pair”. You’ll have a lot to give to each other. Pets can fill our days and our years with constant, unconditional love. Yes, it hurts like mad when they are gone. I agree with Agnes Turnbull who once said that “Dogs’ lives are too short. Their only fault, really.” Who can deny the richness of their loyalty and the comfort of their presence?  In the words of George Eliot: “Animals are such agreeable friends – they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.”…and now we know… they help us to thrive.