{Foods Poisonous to Pets}

The Importance of Pets
for Senior Adults

Senior Pet Adoption and Fostering Agencies
our pets

Pets can play an important role in our lives as we age. Part of the sense of self-esteem is obviously the consciousness of being useful. Pets, therefore, make it possible also for older people to satisfy such needs by enabling them to look after somebody, yes, to have to look after somebody and to take responsibility for somebody.

Surveys show that seniors feel their pets give them the "feeling of being useful", of "being able to look after somebody", of "not being alone and isolated". Moreover, a dog, for instance, would help to "forget oneself and ones problems" and to "live one's free time in a meaningful and interesting way".

All these arguments are of great importance for people reaching later chapters of their lives.

Since then numerous scientific investigations regarding the interactions between the senior human being and his pet have been carried out all over the world. These not only confirmed over and over again the results of that "budgerigar study" but also showed additional positive effects of pets on older people:

Pets help to fight against apathy and indifference. Older people start to get interested again to a greater extent in events in their vicinity and in their surroundings.
They help to get over sad events by representing for instance a living role model to a passed away person or by becoming a new objective for affection.
They prevent or reduce absent-mindedness or bewilderment by communicating the sense of time and by maintaining a rhythm of the day.
Depressions can be avoided because the pet owner has to take care of other things than only of himself and his own problems.
Psychological and physical inadequacy can be borne much easier if a pet shares one's life.
Pets encourage their owner to physical activity. Be it by playing with them, feeding them, cultivating hygiene or going on a walk with them.
Pets give safety, this particularly to persons who are living alone. Already the barking of a dog helps to keep unwelcome visitors away.
And last but not least: Pets amuse us, make us laugh, improve our moral.

Pets need love, companionship and attention no different than the rest of us. They are there in most cases because either no one wanted them any longer, or were dumped having been through a horrific ordeal.

The Animal Rescue Site - It takes less than a minute to go to their site and click on the purple box "fund food for animals" for FREE. This doesn't cost you a thing. Their corporate sponsors/advertisers use the number of daily visits to donate food to abandoned/neglected animals in exchange for advertising. 100% of your gift goes directly to GreaterGood.org, for the benefit of worthy charities benefiting animal health, welfare, and adoptive services. GreaterGood Network stores do not receive any profit from the sale of this Gift That Gives More^tm; they bring it to you in the spirit of the greater good.

SENIOR PET ADOPTION AND FOSTERING AGENCIES

Purina Pets for Seniors - Purina partners with more than 200 shelters nationwide to provide senior citizens with reduced cost pet adoptions. Participating humane shelters are reimbursed $50 for every senior adoption to help defray the costs of spaying or neutering‚ vaccinations‚ and other fees.

The Silver Paws Program connects mature pet lovers with homeless mature pets. Part of AARF’s overall foster program network, Silver Paws foster parents participate in foster orientations and trainings with other fosters, which can serve as an antidote to the isolation many mature adults face. The program covers the cost of veterinary care, food and supplies for the foster pets, alleviating the financial concerns that are common.

OUR FAMILY

Lastly, I wanted to share photos of our babies that we have rescued over the years. From left to right is Gracie (3), Gus (11) and Stanley (5)

If you know of a senior that could use a friend, please consider adoption. Contact your local animal shelter today!

Cheryl

Cheryl Culbertson, Founder
Elder Options of Texas

P.A.W.S.
Public for Animal Welfare, Inc.
Shelter and Humane Society. www.paws.org

importance of pets

DISCLAIMER: Links to other websites or references to products, services or publications do not imply the endorsement or approval of such websites, products, services or publications by Elder Options of Texas. The determination of the need for senior care services and the choice of a facility is an extremely important decision. Please make your own independent investigation.