When considering a move to a senior living community, many individuals take into account whether or not a place is pet friendly.
According to the article Sharing Your Home With a Pet Is Also Good for Your Health, following the National Poll on Healthy Aging, sponsored by AARP and Michigan Medicine, the University of Michigan’s (U-M) academic medical center, “55 percent of older adults ages 50 to 80 have at least one pet. Dogs are the most popular (owned by 68 percent of respondents), followed by cats (48 percent) and then small pets such as birds, fish, and hamsters (16 percent)” (AARP).
Friendsview has undergone changes in its pet policies within the last 20 years to better accommodate our residents and their furry, feathered, or scaly companions. We’re excited to say we’ve removed the weight limit for dogs and increased the maximum pets per household to two.
“We recognize the many benefits that pets bring, including companionship and emotional support, and have taken steps to create a more inclusive and pet-friendly environment while maintaining a balance for the entire community,” said Todd Engle, the Executive Director at Friendsview. “These changes reflect our commitment to fostering a welcoming and supportive home for all.”
These changes are a wonderful addition to Friendsview, but it’s equally important to recognize the positive impact that animal companions have, both on residents as individuals and on the community as a whole.
According to AARP’s article, “Regardless of which pets they own, the vast majority of owners agree that having a pet offers physical and mental benefits. Nearly 9 in 10 owners say that pets help them enjoy life and feel loved, while nearly 8 in 10 say that pets help reduce stress. About two-thirds say their pets help them stay physically active and stick to a routine.”
In recent months, we’ve had the pleasure of speaking with several pet owners in the Friendsview community. Each shared heartfelt stories about the special bond they share with their pets, as well as the profound impact their pets have on their lives. First, let’s hear from a resident who has a feline friend:
Francie Richey and Minou
Francie Richey, a resident in the Manor, is an extroverted individual. When Covid hit, she didn’t know if she could sit at home alone for so long at a time, so she called up a local animal shelter to inquire about cats. She asked for an older cat with a mild
temperament, and the shelter sent her photos of a beautiful gray and white kitty with gorgeous green eyes.
Our Residency Planning Director saw her with the carrier as she returned home from the shelter and asked, “What’s that?”
“This is my Covid kitty,” Francie replied.
Minou (pronounced like “mee-new”—French for “kitty”) took some time getting used to the new environment, but went on to become a stable part of Francie’s life, providing both a strong companionship and a sense of peace and tranquility for Francie and her home. Francie feels an instant calm every time her kitty crawls into her lap to nap.
“I’m surprised how much company she is,” Francie said, describing the times Minou would join her for meditation—a time they share together in their daily routine. “I always end up playing with her, even if I don’t want to play with her… She’s very mellow, and that’s exactly what I needed. At this stage in my life, she’s the perfect pet.”
Indeed, cats have a remarkable way of providing a calm, tranquil presence in any home. However, it turns out that dogs, too, have a unique ability to bring calm and tranquility to their surroundings.
Carol Hoeger and Judge
Friendsview has many dogs—mostly small dogs, but there are dogs of many sizes.
Carol Hoeger, a resident of our Cherry Street neighborhood, brought her dog, Judge, with her as she moved in. Judge is a 9-year-old 120lb Bull Mastiff—smaller than the average Bull Mastiff, but quite a bit larger than the other dogs in their neighborhood, who were a little intimidated by him when he first arrived. But Judge is a gentle soul.
“Judge is protective, in a non-aggressive way,” Carol explained, talking about his careful and observant nature. He has a habit of leaning gently on her leg, looking at their surroundings, at their neighbors, or up at her.
A cool thing about dogs (and many other pets) is that they keep you to a schedule and encourage physical activity. “You can’t just—not walk the dog,” Carol agreed. Even if it seemed to be a slow day, she has the responsibility of getting him outside for exercise. But the exercise, she reflected, is also good for her own physical health, so it benefits the both of them.
(Editor’s note: Judge passed away soon after this interview. He was loved and adored by the community—I’ve been hearing many good things about him from other residents and staff since. Rest in peace, good boy. -Danielle Prow)
While cats and dogs are popular companions, they aren’t the only ones we have in our community.
Edie Uber, Mark Woolbright, and their cockatiels
Edie Uber, a resident in Springbrook Meadows, has been raising cockatiels since she was 19. Some bought, mostly rescued. At one point, she had seven at one time.
“I just like cockatiels. I like them because they’re pretty, smart, and affectionate,” she said. “I thought I was allergic to cats! Turns out I wasn’t. But I was already committed to these birds.”
Currently, she and her husband, Mark Woolbright, have two of them: Ming-Yue, and Ufo (pronounced “oo-foh”). They were a little worried the birds might be a bit too loud for their duplex, but their neighbors have been very warm and receptive, stating they can’t hear their commentary through the walls, and even help bird-sit when Edie and Mark are away.
“Another challenge was finding an avian vet,” Edie added. “We did, and we like them.”
And just like other pets, these birds are a huge part of Edie and Mark’s lives, making sure they stick to their daily routines while providing companionship, entertainment, and responsibility.
“They don’t fly very much. They’re usually in the cage, or on us, or the thing you’re trying to read or write on,” said Mark. He and Edie described how they would ride on them around the house, “making commentary” or preening themselves. “When I’m drawing in a sketchbook, they try to pick the lines off the page.”
The companionship provided by pets does wonders for a senior’s wellbeing; the presence of an animal brings comfort, joy, and a sense of connection that makes every step uplifting and fulfilling. Whatever companion you have with you, we wish you all the best as you continue to navigate life’s adventures together, wherever they may take you.
Sources:
Adler, Sarah Elizabeth. “Sharing Your Home With a Pet Is Also Good For Your Health.” AARP, 3 Apr. 2019, www.aarp.org/home-family/your-home/info-2019/pets-boost-health.html?msockid=04f366a1b2376e6b354972feb3336f4f
