Nobel Prize winner Konrad Lorenz once said: “The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth will ever be.” Everyone who has ever loved a dog will indisputably agree with this statement, especially those senior citizens who rely on their dogs for both physical and emotional support. Just over a decade ago, as little as 34% of adults older than 70 in the USA owned pets. In 2016, this figure increased to over 40%. There is no way to deny the immense value and joy a dog can bring to a senior’s life. From providing companionship to rendering possibly life-saving services, canine companions are truly deserving of the title of man’s best friend. The following are just a few ways a loyal dog can enhance the life of his senior owner.
They provide protection and companionship
For many seniors, a beloved dog is often their only true form of companionship. Having a special dog to care for can help alleviate social isolation, loneliness, and anxiety, especially for those seniors who no longer have a spouse and also don’t have any other family members in close proximity to them. It’s a sad reality that elderly people are vulnerable targets as far as crimes such as house burglaries and muggings are concerned. A dog, even a small one, can help ward off would-be intruders by barking and alerting his owner of the situation on hand.
They provide vital health-related services
Service dogs are undoubtedly among some of the most well-trained animals in the world, trained to perform tasks that their elderly owners may battle to do on their own. These tasks include things such as sniffing out possible allergens, opening, and closing doors, retrieve life-saving medication and navigating for individuals with impaired sight. Service dogs basically act as living, breathing, medical response devices for their senior owners. Service dogs come in all shapes and sizes and are often permitted in places where other animals are not allowed to be such as shopping centers and restaurants.
They provide relief for numerous mental health conditions
Seniors diagnosed with various mental health conditions can benefit significantly from having a dog as a companion. With more than 5.2 million Americans reportedly having Alzheimer’s, the immense value service dogs bring to these patients’ lives cannot go unnoticed. These dogs contribute tremendously to help relieve the anxiousness and stress of dementia and Alzheimer’s patients, reducing agitation and helping them calm down. Being exposed to regular interaction with a loving dog can even boost the appetite of seniors who generally don’t eat much as a direct result of their conditions.
The bond between a dog and his senior owner is extremely special and unlike any other relationship on earth. Some seniors become so attached and dependent on their dogs that they are literally unable to live without them. As long as there are dogs on earth and seniors who need and love them, the world will be a better place because of it.
Article by: Jane Anderson, a freelance writer, editor and dog owner
Photo by Joseph Pearson on Unsplash