There’s a new program in Clark County Washington that provides a service for seniors who are in long term care facilities, hospitals, or other settings. A Clark County Elder Justice Center ancillary organization, Friends of the Elder Justice Center, has been doing great work providing emergency boarding and foster homes for pets of seniors during times of crisis.

According to The Columbian article, the Pets of Older People program is designed to help keep elderly people and their pets together for as long as possible and enhance the well being of elderly people who may refuse care because they don’t want to be separated from their pet or they have no one to care for their pet while they are hospitalized, receiving rehab or other needed services away from home.

Friends of the Elder Justice Center was originally formed to provide resources and support for vulnerable adults not available through the judicial system or Adult Protective Services. And, through this work, they realized there was a gap in community services, so the Pets of Older People program was developed.

In addition to finding foster homes and reuniting pets with their families, the Pets of Older People program also offers pet therapy to residents of long term care facilities by teaming with various rescue shelters. Another service is helping pair homeless pets with seniors in retirement and assisted living facilities in Clark County.

We think this is a wonderful senior resource: a “win-win” for seniors and pets. If you’d like to get involved, there is a meeting scheduled for January 11 at 11:00 a.m. at PeaceHealth Medical Center.