A team of volunteers with a Canadian organization in Calgary is helping many seniors across the city care for their canine companions.
ElderDog Canada’s paws leader in Calgary, Janice Bushfield, says it is a 100 per cent volunteer-run organization that assists seniors to look after their canines.
That means helping out with anything from dog walking to taking a pet to the vet or groomers, assisting with basic hygiene, and sometimes helping to cover the cost of vet care.
“In Calgary, we have anywhere from 30 and 50 seniors, but we also match up each of those seniors with anywhere from five to seven volunteers,” she says.
Volunteers serve as a companion for the senior, scheduled for regular walks or whatever is required to meet the needs of their four-legged friend.
Bushfield says many of the stories that connect clients with volunteers are sad. But the collaboration is heartwarming.
“You see a lot of pets that just sit in the home with the seniors, and I mean, they’re their family — they’re their companions — and they love to have them sit at home with them, but the dogs can get overweight. And as they get overweight, they can face a number of health issues,” she says.
She says health and mobility issues prevent many from getting out to walk their dog, which is hard on both the senior and the canine.
“They feel very unhappy and very depressed because they know their dog needs a walk,” she says. “So, the dog gets a walk, and the senior gets to see somebody and have a nice, little visit. And that really improves their mood and their overall quality of health.”
If there is a hip replacement, a hospital stay or something unexpected, Elder Dogs will help as short-term fosters. And if a senior can no longer take care of their dog, the group helps find a new forever home.
Bushfield loves being part of it all.
“I retired and wanted to start walking a dog,” she says. “It has made such a difference for seniors in their lives.”
“The majority of seniors that we serve really don’t see their family very often. They’re isolated. They’re vulnerable. And just visiting with them, and seeing the smile on their faces and how excited they are to see a dog walker come to their door, makes it all worthwhile.
“And the dog is excited, too.”
Dr. Ardra Cole kick-started ElderDog Canada, whose research out of Halifax looked into the benefits canine companions offer to adults with dementia and Alzheimer’s. It’s since gone from having “pawds” — chapters — in Atlantic Canada, to having more than 40 across the country.
It raises funds through donors, grants and fundraisers, with money supporting everything from veterinary care to specialized treatment.
ElderDog Canada has been in Calgary since about 2017 and has about 150 volunteers.
More information can be found on the website.