For many people, animals evoke fond memories of their beloved pets.
For over 25 years, Wellington Terrace Long Term Care Home in Fergus offers pet therapy, an opportunity for residents to enjoy a warm cuddle and to connect with their favourite furry friends.
“Pet therapy maintains and supports our resident’s emotional wellbeing. It allows them to engage in meaningful interactions with animals as well as with their owners. It promotes reminiscing and socialization,” says Mary Black, volunteer services coordinator at Wellington Terrace Long Term Care Home.
“Pet therapy is proven to lesson depression, isolation and loneliness and even boredom.”
Spending time with animals can actually even reduce anxiety for some residents.
“They have a calming effect. Many of our residents have had pets in the past, when growing up as a child, and with their own families. So, this program offers them the opportunity to revisit those memories and to be able to touch and connect with pets again,” Black says.
Wellington Terrace is grateful to its pet therapy volunteers for bringing smiles to the faces of residents and staff with each visit.
But Black says, more volunteers from the community would be appreciated.
“One of our very first pet volunteers, Julie, just celebrated 25 years with us. She has a different dog, but she is still with us after all these years,” Black says.
"Right now, we have two pet therapists who make their rounds. We had a third person join in for a very short time but sadly, her dog passed away. We hope to spread the joy, which is why now, we want to drum up some interest."
Prior to COVID-19, Wellington Terrace had about seven to nine pet therapy volunteers visit regularly. But during the pandemic, volunteer services were suspended for almost two years.
“When we were able to get up and running again, a lot of those volunteers did not return,” Black says.
“During COVID, some of them still visited the residents, but outside. Our residents would see them through the windows. It was interesting what volunteers did, even during those times.”
Wellington Terrace welcomes volunteers and pets who have completed training and assessment with a certified pet therapy program.
“We hope for more volunteers who are registered with a formalized pet therapy program. That way, we know that they have been trained and assessed to be in a long term care setting,” Black says.
There are a variety of pet therapy programs available including the St. John’s Pet Therapy Program and as well as Companion Paws.
“People go through this training and testing, and then they decide where they would like to volunteer. That’s when they contact us,” Black says.
People interested in the pet therapy program at Wellington Terrace can call (519) 846-5359 ext. 7266, or email at [email protected]
“We are really flexible. Volunteers can come in weekly or once every two weeks. We appreciate whatever time they can give,” Black says.
In the past, Wellington Terrace has also had the occasional visit from birds, cats, and other animals.
“We used to have a regular cat therapy program as well which was a real treat for those who like cats. There was a cat named Blossom who would visit, and the residents just loved her. But sadly, she was unable to return after COVID-19,” Black says.
At Wellington Terrace, Black says recreation therapists do very thorough assessments with residents when they initially move in.
“Either the residents themselves, or their family members can tell us if they have a love for animals. We have a master list of all the residents that really enjoy animals. We also indicate that if there are any residents that don’t like animals as well, so our volunteers know who and who not to visit,” Black says.
“We also have posters outside of our residents’ rooms that say ‘I love a dog’, or ‘I love a cat’ for volunteers."
Black says she has never seen a negative response.
“Some of our residents, depending on their ability, have even purchased dog treats so that they can give them to the animals when they visit,” she says.
“It brings so many smiles to residents as well as our staff.”
Black says the reason why the pet therapy program at Wellington Terrace continues to be such a success is quite simple.
“It’s all about seeing the residents smile as they reach out to pet the animals. When they see them, it brings them so much joy,” Black says.
“I’ve witnessed this often, and it warms my heart every time.”
