MSVU researcher studying effect of dogs in continuing care facilities

Several studies have shown the benefits of having a pet in your life.

Now a researcher at Mount Saint Vincent University is exploring the effect dogs can have in continuing care facilities.

“This research that I’m doing is to try and take the next step to find out what needs to happen in the facilities in order for dogs to have a stronger presence, and in fact be able to live in facilities with their human companions,” Dr. Ardra Cole told NEWS 95.7’s Todd Veinotte.

Cole said moving into a nursing home is always a big adjustment, but it can be devastating for those who have to leave their beloved pets behind.

“Especially those who are mourning other losses, such as the loss of a spouse, loss of the family home or loss of life as they knew it,” she explained.

“A lot of people talk about that experience as being akin to the death of a loved one.”

Cole is also the founder of ElderDog, a national non-profit organization that helps older dogs find homes, helps seniors care for their dogs, and helps find new homes for dogs when older owners can no longer care for them.

She has been working with the largest not-for-profit continuing care organization in Atlantic Canada, Northwood, for this study.

“They’re wanting to increase the presence of dogs because dogs are part of what home means to a lot of people, so in trying to recreate home, they’re trying to figure out how dogs can be a part of that new environment for residents,” she said.

And from what she's seen, the joy generated by the dogs tends to carry over to the staff.

“When dogs walk into a facility, it’s like the lights have been turned on at high beam,” Cole said. “It’s really quite something to watch the reaction, the interactions, and the many benefits you can watch before your eyes.”

She admits there would likely be some residents in a facility who wouldn’t want the animals around, but she said most of the pets are pretty good at picking up on that and staying away.

The research is also exploring issues that would need to be addressed before allowing dogs to live in continuing care homes permanently, like health and safety rules and regulations.

“It’s really about how can we make this happen … in order for residents to be able to move into care facilities and either have the full-time companionship of their dog, or in some cases, have a part-time co-residency,” she said.

“It makes all the difference in the world for those who are used to having these companions.”