MISSION SENIORS July 2015
A monthly guide to events, resources and services for Mission Seniors
Seniors FURRY Mission
WEEK
FRIENDS MAKE THE BEST MEDS
Mission resident’s experience supports evidence pets are good for health Brandon KOSTINUK MISSION RECORD
The best medication may come with four legs and fur. According to Mission resident Heather Andrew who turns 70 next month, her Shitsu-West Highland terrier named Holly fills a void nothing else but the presence of her grandkids can fill. “We eat together, Holly has to have company to eat,” Andrew jokes. She inherited the dog from her godmother, six or seven years ago, she says. “She is very much a health benefit, especially since my husband passed about three-and-a-half years ago,” says Andrew. “[Holly’s] gentle, loving, cute … [and] something to hold on to.” As a companion she’s “useful in spades,” says Andrew. Stephanie Stanton-Linder, a professional dog trainer and owner of Allstars K9 Training in Mission, says she definitely believes in the healing
Mission Seniors Living 55 Plus is dedicated to our seniors. We welcome story submissions and photos. E-mail submissions to Carol Aun at carolaun@missioncityrecord.com PUBLISHED BY THE MISSION RECORD
Heather Andrew and her dog Holly.
KEVIN MILLS PHOTO
properties of animals, especially dogs. Dogs are non-judgmental, they offer companionship and it’s something to take care of so they offer a degree of daily responsibility and purpose, explains Stanton-Linder. She recalls the affect her certified therapy dog Maggie had on seniors, when they visited the local hospital. “Sometimes they would just sit with her and pet her. You see them smile. You see their faces just change,” said Stanton-Linder. Studies have shown that pet ownership, by seniors especially, can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, increase social interaction and physical activity. A three-year study conducted by the Baker Medical Research Institute in Melbourne, Australia demonstrated, from a base of nearly 6,000 people, that pet owners had lower blood pressure and cholesterol and triglyceride (type of fat found in blood) levels, than those who did not own a pet. The research further extended that
other factors such as personal differences between smoking habits, diet, weight or socio-economic position could not explain away the positive results. And the benefits doesn’t just stop at heart health. Depression is another area pets have shown to help alleviate. Combating the symptoms associated with the mental illness such as bouts of sadness, the urge to remain inactive, loss of appetite or temperamental outbursts, can be quelled with the presence of a pet. Micky Niego of ASPCA Animal Watch wrote in his 1992 book Rx: Animals, “There are instances when an animal can reach an individual in way that another human cannot. “Acceptance and attention from an animal can restore feelings of selfworth and lift one from the seat of despair, depression and boredom.” Thus, if you’re lonely and have the time, a companion dog may be the route to go, said Stanton-Linder.
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