Pooch pals

In a mission to bridge the isolation gap felt by the elderly, over 120 South Australians are sharing their time, and their pets, with residents of aged care homes.

Caring Canine Companions is an auspice of The Community Visitors Scheme, a federal government initiative set up in 1991 to promote greater connection between residents of aged care homes and the wider community.

With Caring Canine Companions, the resident not only gains the friendship of the volunteer involved, but the companionship of their dog, a rare pleasure given the pet restrictions in most facilities.

Volunteer-run by The Golden Retriever Club of South Australia, the program extends to 110 nursing homes in metropolitan and rural South Australia.

Caring Canine Companions coordinator Sheila Hoare said all dogs are welcome, provided they pass the suitability assessment conducted by The Golden Retrievers Club.

“We’ve got German shepherds, poodles, shih tzus, spaniels, greyhounds, crosses and of course, a lot of golden retrievers.” Ms Hoare said.

Caring Canine Companions receives lots of calls from facility managers interested in animal intervention therapy and the positive effects it can have on loneliness, stress, communication, cognitive functioning and motivation.

Ms Hoare said the interaction with the animal can recall the memories of people living with dementia, which in turn incites real emotion.

“It can be nostalgic. A resident with dementia will sometimes smile and use the name of their old pet. Others will have a tear in their eye because they know their own dog is gone.”

Ms Hoare said for stroke victims, it can be quite soothing to just touch the animal.

“I’ve been doing this for 12 years and when I started I remember going into a nursing home where there was older Italian lady.

“I don’t speak Italian and she was completely bed-ridden, I assumed she’d had a stroke. She would just put out her hand and feel his ears," she said.

“Upon moving, I went there to say goodbye and she turned around to the dog and said ‘thank you.’

“The staff later told me they were the first words she’d spoken since under their care.”

At Resthaven Murray Bridge, residents with high, low and dementia-specific needs derive great pleasure from the weekly visits of two gentle golden retrievers.

Resthaven Murray Bridge manager Barbara Kompier said the residents love to see Violet and Jazz each week.

“It brings them delight and puts a smile on their faces to talk to and pat the pets,” Ms Kompier said.

Ms Hoare said some of the dogs are able to impress their audiences with tricks but on the whole, they are just there to be patted.

“It’s a win-win situation all round. The dog enjoys the attention and the occasional tid-bit and the volunteer also gains from their contribution to the community.”

If you would like become involved with Caring Canine Companions, call: 1800 077 722.

Or email: caringcaninecompanions@hotmail.com

For more information, visit the website.

Image: an excited golden retriever makes a new friend. CONTRIBUTED.