Senior citizens and dogs make a great pair. Find out if you or a senior loved one in need should adopt a doggy.

Marilyn adopted Diva through Senior Dogs 4 Seniors, a service that matches golden-aged animals with golden-aged pet parents. It’s placed more than 1,500 dogs since launching seven years ago.

Husband and wife team Diane and David Pierce started the adoption service after seeing the positive and life-affirming effects their service dogs had on seniors during visits to nursing homes, hospices, and senior’s centers.

The Pierces say senior pets make perfect companions for senior people because the majority are already housebroken, are trained to walk on a leash, and are much calmer than their puppy counterparts.

Knowing that some seniors have mobility issues, Senior Dogs 4 Seniors offers adopters a range of support services, including taking the dog to vet and grooming appointments and administering annual vaccinations and flea treatments.

Staff will even watch the dog should the owner go on vacation or end up in hospital, which is exactly what happened to Marilyn Johnson.

The agency even works with the senior's lawyer to create a dog trust to provide ongoing physical, emotional, and financial care and support for the dog in the event the owner passes away.

Having a support system is key for senior adopters, says Sherri Franklin, Executive Director of the San Francisco-based group Muttville, which waives adoption fees for people older than 62 who want to adopt a companion animal from the shelter system.

With many of the animals Muttville takes in coming from seniors that have either passed away or entered a care home, she says the new matches with other seniors are a win-win, and have a transformative effect on elderly owners, especially those going through the loss of a partner or loved one.

Physical Benefits

Studies show that in addition to providing friendship, security, and companionship to seniors living on their own, having a companion animal can actually improve a person’s mental and physical health in a plethora of ways.

Study authors found that taking short, frequent walks with a dog can lessen depression, anxiety, and stress, and that physical activity doesn’t need to be overly intense: Just by letting the dog outside, feeding him on a schedule, and playing fetch was found to have positive effects on people’s physical health.

What Makes a Good Match

While there isn't one specific breed of dog that makes a perfect match for an older adopter, shelters and rescue organizations alike agree having realistic expectations and a support system in place increases the chances of the match being successful.

A senior should be able to provide exercise for their new pet, whether that means walking the dog themselves or getting a neighbour, family member or service provider to help.

Seniors Dogs 4 Seniors also considers if the adopter has a fenced yard, because it's easier for the owner to let the dog outside for pee breaks, and it's also safer for the animal.

If you're considering getting a pet for an elderly parent or grandparent, or if you’re a senior considering fostering or adopting, being open and honest about capacity of care is critical.

At Dogway, seniors and their extended family meet to discuss the reality of that individual's situation, including physical impairments, mental capacity, and living environment. The wellbeing of the dog is first and foremost, says Latour.

After hundreds of matches, she believes the lives of seniors can be immeasurably improved by the addition of a companion animal in the home.

Providing a senior with their own pup is a great choice! They will feel less lonely and keep busy taking care of their new doggy. It's important to consider the well being of both the senior citizen and the doggy if adoption might be a choice.

Learn more about doggy adoption for aging family members by visiting Modern Dog.