READER FEEDBACK
Post a commentThe Wonder of Dogs 11-1
Help a senior by caring for a pet
One of the most challenging aspects of aging for pet owners is to adequately care for their pets while dealing with the problems created by diminished capacity.
Stiff joints, bad eyesight, unstable balance and trouble lifting can lead to pets that are much loved but less well cared for than before.
Unfortunately, the cure for advancing age eludes me. But there is help for its ramifications.
Friends, family and neighbors of the elderly or disabled can add pet care to the list of services we can offer to make continued ownership a possibility with less physical strain on them and fewer potential hazards for their animals.
Can you walk someone’s dog daily? Change a litter pan? Shop for pet food? Help with trips to the veterinarian or groomer?
Can you provide some adequate exercise daily, occasional nail clipping or a thorough brushing now and then?
Each of these services requires only a tiny effort on our part, but they make such a big difference to the animals and their companions.
If time or distance doesn’t allow you to physically help, perhaps hiring a caregiver who can provide some of these services will allow these owners to keep their pets in a safe and sound way for as long as possible.
Losing a beloved pet can be terribly devastating for a senior or person with a disability. Petting a pup, stroking a cat or listening to a canary warble really brightens their days, perhaps even more so than for those of us still able to care unassisted for our pets.
If you’d like to help on a grander scale, check out a local agency, such as PetPals of Southern N.J. that provides help like this to area pet owners in need. For more information on these groups and how to get involved, go to its Web site, www.petfinder.com
Barbara Kahn is the training director at WonderDogs, Inc. E-mail her, with “Trend” in the subject line, at barb@wonderdogs.com, call 856-767-6464 or visit www.wonderdogs.com.
Stiff joints, bad eyesight, unstable balance and trouble lifting can lead to pets that are much loved but less well cared for than before.
Unfortunately, the cure for advancing age eludes me. But there is help for its ramifications.
Friends, family and neighbors of the elderly or disabled can add pet care to the list of services we can offer to make continued ownership a possibility with less physical strain on them and fewer potential hazards for their animals.
Can you walk someone’s dog daily? Change a litter pan? Shop for pet food? Help with trips to the veterinarian or groomer?
Can you provide some adequate exercise daily, occasional nail clipping or a thorough brushing now and then?
Each of these services requires only a tiny effort on our part, but they make such a big difference to the animals and their companions.
If time or distance doesn’t allow you to physically help, perhaps hiring a caregiver who can provide some of these services will allow these owners to keep their pets in a safe and sound way for as long as possible.
Losing a beloved pet can be terribly devastating for a senior or person with a disability. Petting a pup, stroking a cat or listening to a canary warble really brightens their days, perhaps even more so than for those of us still able to care unassisted for our pets.
If you’d like to help on a grander scale, check out a local agency, such as PetPals of Southern N.J. that provides help like this to area pet owners in need. For more information on these groups and how to get involved, go to its Web site, www.petfinder.com
Barbara Kahn is the training director at WonderDogs, Inc. E-mail her, with “Trend” in the subject line, at barb@wonderdogs.com, call 856-767-6464 or visit www.wonderdogs.com.
