FILE PHOTO
Image Credit: ADOBE STOCK
January 19, 2022 - 6:00 AM
What happens when a senior citizen loses mobility and cannot properly care for their best four-legged friend? Or when a senior dog loses its favourite human companion to illness or death?
A volunteer team in Kamloops has recently finished preparing a free program that is designed help keep seniors and their pets together for longer, and find 'furever' homes for older dogs.
ElderDog Kamloops became an individual branch of ElderDog Canada in fall 2021, and they are ready to expand their operations. They are looking for volunteers as well as senior clients, and they want the community to know about their free service.
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Sandra Ceccon is one of two volunteers doing the communication and outreach for the program.
“I love dogs and it's one of my main passions in life, to keep those dogs and people together,” she said. “We all know pets improve the health and well-being of seniors. We help take dogs out for exercise, take them for vet appointments and take them to get groomed.”
The organization is currently composed of 18 active volunteers and there are still lots of positions available.
“It typically works by word-of-mouth,” Ceccon said. “We are focussed on seniors who need a little help to keep their dogs at home, so you may just see someone who is having mobility issues and let them know we are here.”
ElderDog Kamloops's first successful rehomed dog, Angel.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ ElderDog Kamloops
The organization provides fostering and rehoming when a pet’s owner is moved into care or passes away.
“Our first successful rehoming happened in January,” Ceccon said. “Angel the dog went to a family who were so pleased to have her that they made a financial contribution as a thank you for getting the dog of their dreams. It was a win-win.”
The outreach team has been hamstrung by COVID, limiting their ability to set up tables and engage with the public, and do in-person fundraising.
ElderDog Okanagan is the branch offering services to the Vernon, Kelowna and Penticton areas.
Learn more about ElderDog Canada here.
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