Petland Novi Strongly Supports Senior Centers Having Pets

NEW YORK, NY, June 19, 2012

For aging adults, leaving the homestead and going to a retirement center or assisted living facility is a difficult decision. But for many, it is even harder when they are unable to bring their beloved pets with them. However, it seems that is not always the case nowadays. A FOX News article has revealed that more retirement communities are allowing seniors to take their pets with them. Petland Novi, a pet store, wants more retirement centers to embrace this idea because of the benefits it brings to seniors.

Regency Grand, a California-based facility, provides meals, housekeeping, transportation and medical care to its senior citizens. Although those perks sounded nice, for Shirlee Horowitz and her husband, it was the fact they did not have to leave their collie, Barney, behind that sealed the deal. Horowitz, 77, said she was worried Barney would have problems with the smaller yard space, but so far, "he has adjusted to this better than we have." Petland Novi owner Randy Horowitz said the human and animal bond is strong, and tearing that away from people could be harmful because pets provide therapy to people.

At the Regency Grand, 30 percent of the residents have pets, said Leah Hynes, marketing associate for the facility. Most of the residents bring older cats and dogs, but some own fish and birds. At Silverado Senior Living Center, north of San Diego, residents have house miniature horses, kangaroos, pot-bellied pigs, guinea pigs, chinchillas and llamas. No matter the breed, one thing is for sure - research shows pets improve their owners' physical and psychological health.

For that reason, Petland Novi offers pet therapy programs with its puppies and kittens through visits to schools, nursing homes, hospitals and civic organization events. Pets in nursing homes increase social and verbal interaction with the residents. In addition, Petland Novi has seen pets enhance the self-esteem of children when visiting schools. Autistic children usually display more pro-social behaviors if they are around pets. Children exposed to pets within the first year of life are less likely to develop allegories or asthma.

As people age, they lose relatives, friends and spouses. At some point, mobility will decrease and they will have to quit their jobs. Others are unable to keep their homes, the place where they've lived for years or reared children. Lori Kogan, a professor of veterinary medicine at Colorado State University, said pets become increasingly important as these life changes take place. Petland Novi believes that for many seniors, their pets are their reasons for living so it is imperative more assisted living communities accept pets.

ABOUT:

For more than 45 years, Petland Novi has been the leader in the retail pet industry. The business offers staff training programs, in-store pet adoptions and community service programs to help animals find their forever homes and reduce pet overpopulation in the country. For more information, visit www.petlandnovi.com.