St. John’s volunteers with Elderdog keeping seniors and pets together
It has been said many times that a dog is man’s best friend, but Elderdog takes that expression to heart.
The nationally-registered charity is dedicated to aging people, aging dogs, and the important connection that they enjoy. Founded in Nova Scotia by Ardra Cole in 2009, the local St. John’s Metro Pawd launched at the NL Pet Expo this past June.
The organization’s goal is to enable seniors with challenges that may affect the care of their dog to continue to maintain their relationship with their canine companions by providing volunteer services.
“Being a dog lover and knowing how much they enrich lives, I wanted to be part of a program that was committed to ensuring older adults maintain a bond with their beloved dogs, by providing assistance for this to happen,” said Joanne Chafe, one of the organization’s volunteers.
Elderdog offers a range of assistance and support, including:
• Visiting seniors at home and helping with their dog’s daily care activities. These can include, dog walking and light grooming needs, such as bathing and nails trims
• Delivery of dog food and other pet care items to the senior’s home
• Transporting dogs to and from vets and groomers
• Providing short-term foster care during an owner’s hospitalization
• Helping with long-term care planning for companion dogs
• Providing support with education, outreach and research
• Helping with fundraising For senior dogs left with-* out a caregiver because they went into long-term care, Elderdog will arrange a new permanent home through adoption which could be located anywhere within Canada.
There is no fee for Elderdog services and all volunteers wear approved photo IDS and are subject to criminal record checks.
As an animal lover and dog owner herself, Leslie Connors, Elderdog’s communications coordinator, knew she wanted to help out as soon as she heard about the organization’s expansion into Newfoundland.
“When I learned about Elderdog and their goal to maintain that connection between seniors and their dogs, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. My dogs give me such joy and companionship and I love the idea of helping seniors continue to experience the same with their dogs,” said Connors.
Elderdog’s events and outreach coordinator, Shelley Sullivan, says her dog Indy is one of the things that helped her cope with stress during COVID-19 lockdowns.
“During the COVID restrictions, I was pretty much alone, it was just myself and my dog, Indy. I really don’t know how I would have coped without her,” said Sullivan.
“Coming out of that, I just knew that I wanted to give back to our community in a meaningful way, because at the end of the day, I believe that we have to step up for each other.”
Sullivan felt being a part of an organization like Elderdog was a way she could help the community.
“Someone approached me about Elderdog, and when I learned about their goal of helping seniors keep their dogs with them as long as possible…well, I just thought it was perfect. Seniors everywhere are at an increased risk of loneliness and isolation, being involved with a support organization that can alleviate that, by helping them keep their companions, is wonderful,” said Sullivan.
Go online: Learn more about Elderdog and how you can help at https://www. facebook.com/elderdogcanada-st-johns-metropawd-105940895388440/