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How pets improve the golden years

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    Dr. Robyn Barbiers on an adoption program helping match seniors with pets, bringing companionship

  • Duration 8:10
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On doing the show.

Another problem is seeing his face is loneliness it's been well documented that companionship can really help all of us feel better.

And that could be especially true procedures so problem number two today.

I'm lonely and looking for a companion.

The solution for adopting a pet.

Joining us now is doctor Robin -- -- -- -- And president of the anti cruelty society it's a group out of Chicago that helps plays animals.

Up for adoption.

We at the elderly and what a great idea doctor -- years thanks for coming on.

To talk to -- to us about this tell us what animals mean for senior citizens.

What animals mean a lot for seniors or for anyone we believe that animals should be part of your family.

But is that at the scientifically proven that -- decrease the sense of loneliness they also can help.

Blood pressure and your cholesterol levels increase your chance of socialization.

And isn't it great to come home to having a -- greet you at the door.

It's so true obviously though as certain people as seniors get older they may have.

Sort of problems taking care themselves is that a concern that putting an animal into a home with a senior who may have certain limitations.

That that that person would be able to care properly for -- -- something you need to consider when you're looking at adopting a pet for your senior parents.

Or if you're seeing yourself you need to make sure you can adequately provide for that -- But there are many seniors out there that certainly can provide a great home but maybe they want an older -- may -- the -- not the best.

Match for them.

So how does your program work as far as this is the -- for the elderly foundation.

And you're matching.

Animals that are up for adoption with seniors who are in a good place as far as being able to bring that an animal into their home.

How do you paired up.

Absolutely the senior we define it as anyone over the age of 68 they have to be able to provide basic care for that pat.

Food water it veterinary care.

But then -- -- -- them program with pets for the elderly foundation the adoption fee is waived the dog has to be over two and -- -- can be of any -- There are some animals that are currently up for adoption.

That we have some pictures everyone in the show.

Folks who may be interest did less -- talk to us about Lilly a Lilly is a three year old pit bull mix right.

She does she came to us when her owner.

So there the conflict in the -- -- another -- and she had a fracture of her rear leg that it healed improperly.

And so we had to amputate it.

But Lilly is -- very very lovable very sweet dog who is -- with us about four months now.

She's so cute look at her she's because she's got a great face on her.

And I'm sure she is a nice personality she loves to cut allies see.

Yes she does.

Mitzi is a twelve year old -- -- older animal a twelve year old domestic short -- mix.

Yes and she came -- us when her owner became allergic to work.

She's twelve and a half as you mentioned -- she's the best for many months trying to find that right home she's a really sweet girl and she's available for adoption today.

How would you describe her personality.

She's withdrawn but she's very very affectionate when she gets to know you say she's a great left calf.

We want to show one more this is Casey.

Who's ten years old another domestic short -- mix.

-- another beauty tell us about Casey.

Yeah isn't she beautiful her name stands for kitty cat now the most original name and she's an older -- it.

She came to us when her owner's lifestyle changed and she could no longer be part of the family.

-- she's looking for her forever home to.

And for folks who may have 400 god I'm sorry.

-- we have 482.

Cats today many of which are available for adoption today or tomorrow.

And for people who might want to learn more about the adoption process -- -- Where this program with senior citizens.

There's a phone number wanna put up on the screen for people to be able to call to learn more about -- this is a Chicago number.

What about for people who were -- watching us from somewhere else in the country.

Is this a program that they could participate in.

I'm not sure about the program if they -- -- -- but there are many many shelters across the country.

Where they have lots of -- ready for adoption.

The Chicago number just again we want to let people know about that if you're watching us from the Chicago -- 31264438338.

Extension 303 there on the screen.

What it what a great idea we have a couple of comments from folks in the -- might as we we encourage our viewers to participate.

In the conversation doctor -- Beers so it's want to get this in DSL.

As sources animals are great as -- -- you could take care of them and they become just another thing.

To take care.

So that we had talked about that a little bit earlier -- seniors who may have difficulty caring for themselves.

Would have to take that into consideration before getting involved in adopting an animal and welcoming an animal into his or her home.

And Charles -- said the -- would not decrease loneliness for him anyway maybe because I really don't like having a pet.

They are a lot of maintenance how much work is it to have an animal.

You're really depends -- -- animal many cats are very low maintenance he defeated them -- litter box.

But they don't need walking outside.

They have their healthy and they go the -- routinely and -- wellness exams they may not need much medical care.

I want to ask you about the anti cruelty society in Chicago and the great work that you do to try to look after and the best interest of animals there in that area talk to us about that group.

Well we've been around since 1899.

And our mission is to build a community of caring by healthy parents and educating people.

Where comprehensive animal welfare organization.

We do adoptions but we also have an affordable spay neuter clinic that's open to anyone.

We have a free behavior hotline we have humane investigator some steps that go out into the community.

And respond to complaints of abuse and neglect.

We have behaviorist on staff -- full service organization.

Well that's great.

It's just do a wonderful thing.

And a great way it seems for for seniors -- -- may be a little late perhaps you know they're they're they're single they don't have the spouse any longer.

Their family members -- -- try to stop by as often as they -- but that may be a little tough and so having an animal around the house.

Could really make a difference for you know different animals of course we -- talking about this with a three that we discussed but different -- had different personalities.

How do you go about matching -- scene here.

With an animal to make sure that.

Be -- they're getting an animal that has the right kind of temperament for that.

-- summit within your adoptions under our -- -- talk to them and ask why they want any animal did they want an animal just to sit on their lap.

Then your pride and a look at a small -- you're not gonna -- Newfoundland sit on your lap.

And so we we theory about why they want any animal what their lifestyle is like.

And what their expectations are do they only have a half an hour a day to spend -- cut.

Are they looking for someone to sit on the -- -- them all day so we asked a lot of questions and then -- our staff know all the animals we kind of match them with their lifestyle.

We spoke -- our last segment I don't know whether you were able to listen doctor -- -- -- about planning for retirement and the costs associated with that.

Wondering if you could give folks out there who may be interested in this in this program an idea of of of what kind of -- it might it might be -- invited to bring an animal into one's home.

Yeah costs for a cat is around three to 500 dollars a year.

And dog is a little bit more expensive and it depends on the size of the dog but you've got a factor -- The food the toys and of course though those that -- and wellness exams.

We really appreciate you coming on talking to us doctor Robin -- -- who's the president of the anti cruelty society out of Chicago and you can find them on.

The web and anti cruelty dot ORG.

And their Twitter handle is that anti cruelty doctor -- -- thank you so much we appreciate your time.

Thank you.

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