Dog Days of Summer In Long Term Care
With the weather heating up, summer is in full swing – and long term care residents are getting to experience the “dog days” of the season, literally.
This summer, long term care communities have treated residents to visits from furry friends from families and facilities in their local area. The results? Big smiles, warmed hearts and wagging tails – and (thankfully) all in the comfort of air conditioning.
Check out some of the precious photos below:
A bonus grandpa for Luna
Gail Noren’s father, Ken, recently moved into an assisted living community. In his 92 years, he has rarely lived without a dog of his own – but after meeting Luna, a Mini Schnauzer puppy, he got the chance to be a “bonus grandpa.” Luna’s owner, Marlese, now visits with Ken weekly on the porch of his assisted living community to share the pup, pizza and ice cream. “I wish you could see this man’s face light up when I pull up. It’s life changing.” Read the full story here →
Training pups for the next generation
Residents and staff at RoseCrest Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation and Assisted Living used time during the pandemic to give back to their community by training service dogs for The Service Dog Institutes. Puppies were taught by residents and staff to sit, stay and acclimate to people – and three dogs will soon be going to special needs children in the Southeast. Read the full story here →
From couch potatoes to canine comforters
Carol Brandau turned her two “canine couch potatoes” into working therapy pets six years ago. Now, the miniature American Eskimos visit residents at Commonwealth Senior Living in Bel Air, MD every week as part of Pets on Wheels. “Cash is more outgoing. He has a smile on his face, and he’ll prance around like he thinks he’s special,” said Brandau. “Cupcake is not as bubbly, but she’ll let (seniors) turn her upside down, hold her like a baby and scratch her belly.” Read the full story here →
And the “pugliest” dog award goes to…
Behold Pugkin, the 10-week-old winner of Briarcliff Nursing Facility’s Ugliest Dog Contest.
The hilarious contest has run for eight years and “the residents love it,” according to Shona Guenther, director of marketing and admissions at Briarcliff. “No dog is ugly, so we just like to celebrate the dogs.” Read the full story here →
A smooch for a pooch
Since becoming a resident at Hoosier Christian Village in Brownstown, IN, Gerry hasn’t owned a dog. But thanks to the inaugural HCV Dog Parade, she got to pet a variety of dogs, including sweet pug Frank. Read the full story here →
