Pets and Seniors

OurSeniors.net is extremely proud of its network of senior-friendly businesses, professionals and service providers. Each of these individuals and organizations provides a unique, senior-friendly product or service. For many seniors, none of these products or services is more important than the opportunity to adopt a pet. That is why one of our most valued associations is with the Halifax Humane Society.
Humane Societies and seniors are a natural fit. Each can help the other fill an important mission or need. The benefits that pet ownership brings to seniors are not just subjective, “feel good” emotions that cannot be quantified. Scientific studies have demonstrated that connecting with a pet generates a series of chemical reactions that cause the blood pressure to drop, the heart rate to fall and increases the output of serotonin, the “feel good” hormone. In time, the interaction between seniors and pets can lead to improvements in general health and, especially, fight depression and the sense of isolation.
In the Volusia-Flagler county area, the Halifax Humane Society participates in a number of programs that might be of special interest to seniors. Several times a year, the Society hosts the “Pet Assisted Therapy’’ program organized by My Angel With Paws, a volunteer organization that trains dogs to help people with disabilities. These service dogs help people of all ages who have mobility, balance and other disability issues. The Humane Society does not train these service dogs, but it does make its facilities available. For more information about service dogs, contact My Angel With Paws. Their website is https://www.myangelwithpaws.org.
Some seniors might be interested in the Society’s Foster Care Program for homeless animals. If you want a pet now, but cannot make a long-term or year round commitment, this program offers the chance to become a “foster care parent” to a homeless animal. Some of these foster care animals need a little “tender love and care” and some are puppies or kittens that are too young to adopt. By taking them into your home for a limited time, you free up space that can be used to keep animals that are ready for adoption. You can make a huge difference in the life of one of these animals.
The Society offers help to seniors (and all others) who must deal with a pet that is nearing the end of life.
The staff knows how much pets mean to all people, including seniors. The loss of a pet may be as upsetting as losing a human relative. The Humane Society can give advice about caring for elderly pets, veterinary services, even pet cremation and burial.
If you or a senior loved one is looking for a pet that is the “perfect match” for your situation, the Society maintains a database of prospective adopters and available animals. You can have your name entered into this database by going to the MEET YOUR MATCH® ADOPTER SURVEY on the Humane Society site. Completing this survey will help the Society determine which animals might best suit your lifestyle and needs. Afterwards, you can choose to receive an e-mail invitation to visit the Halifax Humane Society and meet a dog or cat that is your best match. Adopting a pet from the Halifax Humane Society enables it to save the life of another animal in great need. For seniors, finding a great companion has never been easier!
The Halifax Humane Society performs a great service for our seniors and for the larger community. If you have the time and the interest in helping out, the Society is always in need of volunteers. Many of these opportunities go beyond the typical shelter volunteer education. For example, the MYM (“Meet Your Match”) program requires that a staff member or trained volunteer assist with animal assessments to determine what type of personality they display. The society also has volunteer opportunities for vet tech volunteers, administrative volunteers, advanced dog walking and behavioral correction, and much more.
Call the Halifax Humane Society today to find out about adopting an animal or taking advantage of one of these opportunities. You can reach them at 386-274-4929.
Ourseniors.net strives to serve the needs of seniors in every way we can. The Halifax Humane Society is an important part of senior living here in Florida. The Humane Society provides seniors with opportunities for companionship and volunteer service, both important parts of the senior lifestyle. At Ourseniors.net, the senior lifestyle and senior living resources are what we are all about. Please use all of our resources to help when you need senior assisted living, senior home care, memory care living or a senior real estate specialist.
You can contact an OurSeniors.net Advisor by phone at 866-333-2657 (se habla Español), or by using Contact Us. Check out our website at Ourseniors.net and take an online look at our senior living magazine, OurSeniors.net Magazine. You can view the entire OurSeniors.net Directory of Approved Vendors by just clicking its link.