I'm sure that you already know that dogs are wonderful companions for people of any age. But did you know that senior citizens can benefit from dog ownership more than most people?
Owning a dog, caring for a dog, and loving a dog holds many "hidden" benefits for a senior citizen. These benefits are "hidden" because not that many seniors think of them when they're thinking about getting a dog or puppy. In addition to giving their unconditional love to their owners, dogs can motivate seniors to get some exercise, enhance their social life, and provide consolation - as well as motivation to carry on - in times of bereavement.
Exercise
Many seniors lead a relatively sedentary life, content to sit on the couch and watch television for a large part of every day. But almost every dog loves a daily (or more often!) walk around the neighborhood. Dog ownership encourages a senior citizen to get up off the couch and go outdoors for a walk around the block, if not longer.
Some dogs love to play frisbee or retrieve a thrown stick. These activities are generally not too strenuous for seniors, but do provide some exercise - for the dog and its owner.
Social Life
Dog ownership is a great way for a senior citizen to meet new people. Take a walk with a dog in a residential neighborhood. Odds are, at least one person along the way will tell you how cute or how beautiful your dog is. Sometimes those occasional comments will grow into a conversation about something else. And that conversation can turn into something you both look forward to. Pretty soon, you have a new friend.
Take your dog to a local dog park. The dog will get some great exercise running, playing and socializing with the other dogs. But chances are, the senior citizen will benefit even more than the dog. Dog parks often have "regulars" who show up every day, or sometimes more than once a day, at around the same time every day. Those people get to know each other and form bonds that originate with their mutual dog ownership. But those bonds can and do evolve into friendship. We have a dog park just down the road. People bring lawn chairs, drinks and sometimes food along with their dogs. They park their chairs, let their dogs off their leashes to play, and chat for hours at a time.
Consolation
A senior citizen who experiences the loss of a spouse or good friend will of course experience a period of mourning. A dog, through its unconditional love and acceptance, can help the senior through this difficult time by providing companionship, affection and a reason to carry on. After all, a dog will still need to be fed, still need to be walked, still need to be loved - and it will look to its owner for these needs to be met. Playful dogs can help to cheer up their owners through their comical antics. Loving dogs can snuggle in and provide some much needed consolation and affection to bereaved seniors.
Many More Benefits
Dogs provide many other benefits to their senior citizen owners. It may be more important for a senior to have a dog than for any other age. Dogs are always "there" for you. Think about it. And if you're a senior citizen but don't own a dog, consider adopting a dog from a shelter. They need us, too.
