Seniors for Seniors in home Companion Program

Are you missing the love and companionship of a cat but worried about the what ifs?  This program is designed to give you a companion, worry free!  What if I die, who will take care of my pet?  Your pet would be relocated with another waiting senior or fostered with a volunteer member. What if I get sick and have to go into the hospital?  Your pet would be placed with a volunteer foster until you return home. What if I want to go on a vacation or visit my family. Who will take care of the cat?  We will bring your pet into a volunteer foster home during your absence.  What if I can’t lug heavy bags of litter and food into the house?  A volunteer will come to your home once a month bringing with them your pet’s food and litter.  I am concerned about the cost of caring for a pet. This program will provide for all of your pets' needs including: transport to and from veterinary appointments cost of veterinary services and medications food, bowls, litter pan and litter collar with an identification tag cat bed and a toy bundle You provide a roof over your pet’s head and some much needed love and attention, all very much worry free! Ultimately, says this programs coordinator Nikki Forbes, "We save the life of a cat that may never have had a chance, and we also give a senior citizen, in a lot of cases, a reason to wake up in the morning."  Studies have repeatedly linked pets to positive effects on health, she says, and having a cat around has had a positive effect on many of the seniors - approximately 50 throughout the province - that her program has placed so far, and the numbers are growing.  The program currently has many healthy, mature animals ready for adoption and hopes that seniors in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley will open their doors and their hearts to give these animals another chance of a forever home.

Stay Fit - Seniors for Seniors Canine Companion Walk

These days we are spending more time sitting than ever before, with little time spent being active. Walking can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, reduces stress and improves your blood pressure, decreases the risk for type 2 diabetes, breast and colon cancer and improves circulation.  And that’s what we hear the Health Care Professionals are saying.  So what are you waiting for, let’s start today!  Bring your own canine buddy or pair up with one of our gentle senior souls.  The Benefits of volunteering to walk one of our senior dogs are many, and if you monopolize the walking conversation, they’ll just keep wagging their tail. 

Volunteering to walk a senior: 

• Motivates you to walk by setting a schedule
• You have a lovable companion to walk with
• Feeling lonely with a buddy just doesn’t happen
• And what could feel better than spending some time with an animal that needs you!

And if you are possibly feeling a little unsteady on your feet, one of our human volunteers would love to walk with the two of you.   Walking is fun, makes you feel good, gives you more energy, helps you sleep better at night, helps you manage your weight and most of all KEEPS YOUR HEART STRONG!

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Snuggle Time – Share Your Love

We need your help with a bit of snuggling!  Our cats in care need gentle hands to show them what love is all about.  So pull up a chair in our lounge with a nice cup of tea or coffee and a great book.  Sit back and put your feet up.  It won’t be long before someone is asking to get up on your lap for that special snuggle.  You’ll both be saying - Life just can’t get any better than this.    
              

Weego the Mile – Seniors in Home Canine Visitors

This program seeks to enrich senior’s lives through visits by members of our canine community.  Not everyone is able to make a trip to Lavender Hill so “Weego” the Mile to come to you.  Before our canines came into rescue care, they were abandoned, unloved and lonely.  Our wonderful volunteers showed them what real love is all about and now all they want to do is share that love with everyone they meet.
Canine visitors get people talking.  It gives people a common interest to start chatting and provides a focus for conversation. Many people in group facilities have had to give up their dog and miss the unconditional love the dog gave them. A dog pays little attention to age or physical ability, but accepts people just as they are without judgment.  The benefits continue even after the visit. The visit leaves behind memories not only of the visit, but of past experiences. It offers something for people to share through a few more days.
We want our visits to help people feel less lonely, and less depressed. Visits from these dogs can provide a welcome change from routine, or the renewal of old friendships. Seniors often become more active and responsive both during and after visiting with our friendly guys.  A visit can offer entertainment, or a welcome distraction from pain and infirmity. Seniors often talk to the dogs, and share with them their thoughts and feelings and memories. These visits provide something to look forward to. Stroking a dog can reduce a person's blood pressure and increase their sense of wellbeing. Petting encourages use of hands and arms, stretching and turning.
So if we don’t see you at Lavender Hill – don’t be surprised if  “Weego the Mile" to sniff you out for a visit!