Henry & Mary Lou
The Sanctuary's first adoption & the first Companions adoption
The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs | home
Mission Statement | Why Should I Adopt a Senior Dog? | Please Adopt Us! | Senior Therapy Dogs | Upcoming Events | Graying Muzzles Calendar & Photo Contest | Sponsor a Sanctuary Senior Dog | Spay/Neuter Senior Dogs | ADOPTED 2007-2008 | Adopted, 2005-2006 | Adopted, 2003-2004 | In Memory | The Georgia Memorial Fund | Sanctuary News | Companions: Senior Dogs for Senior People | Old Dog Stories | Giving up Your Senior Dog | Doggone Good Links | Support the Sanctuary | Contact the Sanctuary
Companions: Senior Dogs for Senior People
The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs is working to develop Companions, a program designed to bring senior dogs and senior people together. Medical and psychological research documents the health and emotional benefits of companion animals, especially to senior people.
As part of this program, the Sanctuary will sponsor appropriate senior dogs in Delta Society testing and registration. Dogs certified through Delta Society can then represent the Sanctuary by visiting nursing homes and retirement facilities.
Senior dogs are available to qualified adopters 60 years of age and older for $60, rather than our usual adoption fee of $100.
 Sophie
graduate of the Sanctuary's first therapy dog class at 8 years old
The Sanctuary's first therapy dog class for senior dogs (7+) concluded in November 2002 with seven senior dog graduates. The second class concluded in June 2003 and graduated six senior dogs, including Gretchen, the Sanctuary's second therapy dog. The third class concluded in June 2004 and graduated seven dogs, including Burt, the Sanctuary's current therapy dog. Several other classes have been held. The first two classes were partially funded by a generous grant from the Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust, a Key Bank Trust. Contact the Sanctuary for more information on this program.
A Delta Society testing is being planned for the summer of 2008. In order to participate, your dog should be free of aggression toward people or other animals, capable of several basic obediance commands, and friendly to strangers. For more information about delta requirements and testing, call the Sanctuary at 216-485-9233 and visit the Delta Society web site.
|
We have plans to expand our Companions program and organize a senior therapy dog club. Our long range plans include an urban sanctuary, possibly an apartment complex or similar urban dwelling that pairs senior residents with senior dogs in need of fostering. If you are interested in volunteering to help with any aspect of Companions, please contact the Sanctuary for more information.
Copyright 2008
No part of this web site, including photographs, may be reproduced without written permission