Pets help senior citizens physically, mentally and emotionally

Linda Hale, 83, said she would not still be around if it were not for the furry, four-legged companions she has had as a senior citizen, and an expert said owning a pet helps seniors physically, mentally and emotionally.

“I would recommend this to any senior,” Hale said. “It just fills an empty spot. These animals love you unconditionally — and to be greeted at the door.”

Hale, from Hartselle, said her dog helps her fight loneliness. “It’s given me a reason for living and companionship — and having a live (being) in the house,” Hale said. “She’s with me constantly. She sleeps with me; she does everything I do. She’s constantly by my side.”

Hale has owned three Yorkshire terriers since she has been a senior citizen. Currently, 11-year-old female Yorkie Zoey Isabella is her companion. Hale has lived alone since she became a widow in 1994. “I would recommend to anyone the companion of a dog; their love is unconditional,” she said. “I’ve had her through COVID, I’ve had her through various illnesses. I fell about two years ago, and I’ve been pretty much isolated, and I don’t think I would have survived without my dog.”

Licensed professional counselor Kathryn Cox in Decatur said seniors will usually feel safer at home with a pet because they are not alone. She said pets help seniors mentally and emotionally. “A lot of times, the older we get, the more we’re kind of isolated, and that pet can be a source of emotional support. It can be a source of someone to take care of or someone who cares for us,” Cox said. “It alleviates some loneliness and depression. Depression can lead to physical health issues as well.”

Cox said pets can help seniors physically. “Pets have been known to lower a person’s blood pressure and help your heart rate settle down because of that feeling you get, those endorphins that get released and that feeling that you get from that unconditional love,” she said.

Hale said Zoey helps her physically by making her get out of the house. “She’s such an energetic dog,” she said. “She loves outside. I take her out and walk her.”

Cox said seniors can stay more mobile and active by walking their dog.

As Hale gets older, she said, she has thought about whether she will get another dog. “I probably will not own another dog in truth. If something happens to her, I don’t think I can. I might have to get a cat or something,” she said. “A cat does not demand what dogs do. You give a cat a litter box and feed it. I would be as affectionate with a cat as I am with my dog, but they do not require the attention that my dog does.”

Cox said whether a senior gets a dog or a cat is a matter of both preference as well as needs and abilities. “Cats are usually more independent than dogs,” she said. “So, you don’t always get that, ‘I want to be in your lap and love on you all the time’ from a cat, but you also don’t get the, ‘I’ve got to go outside right now, and you need to get up and do it.’”

Cox said before you give a senior a pet, you must make sure the senior is capable of taking care of it or that the senior and the particular animal are a good fit. “If a senior can’t get up and take their dog out, then that’s going to be a lot of stress because they have a dog that needs to go out,” she said. “If they have a cat with a litter box, can they clean the box?”

Cox said throughout her work as a counselor she has seen several success stories with seniors and pets. “Someone was a senior, empty nest, and even grandchildren growing up, so that’s just less and less interaction,” she said. “A pet worked out great for them.”

Seniors in living situations other than their own home benefit from pets as well, Cox said. “People who can’t live independently, there are actually emotional support dog places that bring the dog to the senior living facility,” she said. “Having pets visit even brightens things up and makes people feel a little better.”