Realistic Robotic Companion Pets

Joy For All Helping Seniors Combat Loneliness And Isolation

By Cherese Cobb

“Pizza and Popcorn brought my mom joy when they were in her lap, and she couldn’t find them,” LaFleur writes on Instagram. “I wholeheartedly believe that they kept my mom talking throughout her whole dementia journey and showed me how truly sweet her heart was.”

After Linda passed away last year and Popcorn was cremated with her, Patti kept Pizza. “I am so thankful to still have Pizza to bring me comfort in her passing,” Patti said. “These dogs will live in our hearts forever.”

The power of play

Meghan Gamboa is the co-founder and senior vice president of marketing and retail sales at Ageless Innovation. She believes the power of play can bring happiness to everyone, from age five to 105. In addition, she feels that the responsibility of owning a pet should not prevent people from experiencing the joys that pets can provide.

That is why Gamboa and her team started reimagining a Hasbro toy for seniors living with Alzheimer’s and related dementia. “Our innovative team was formed to conduct intensive research on what older adults truly want and need to foster meaningful connections through play,” Gamboa said. “Fueling this new initiative was the insight that there was a void of products that bring fun and play to the older adult market and the belief that play knows no age limit.”

Delivering the joy

Designed with extensive input from the aging population, JFA launched its line of Companion Pet Cats in December 2015. The Companion Cats, available in Silver with white mitts, Tuxedo, and Orange Tabby, were designed to feel, look, and sound like real cats. But they are so much more than just realistic with their soft fur, soothing purrs and pleasant meows. They respond to hugging and petting, but do not require feeding or special care. Their calming heartbeat also mimics the comforting experience of holding a real feline.

In 2016, JFA unleashed The Companion Pet Pup. Complete with a lifelike coat available in golden or freckled, the faux canine contains built-in sensors that respond to motion and touch. They even turn their heads, emit authentic sounds, and respond to the human voice. And, just like their feline counterparts, they are battery operated and require no feeding or special care.

“Each product within the JFA universe can calm anxiety, facilitate intergenerational connection, stimulate conversation, and increase the quality of life for older adults facing challenges— without the use of medication,” Gamboa explained.

Two years later, the JFA leadership team formed Ageless Innovation. It is now home to the full JFA lineup. “Ageless Innovation continues to grow as we celebrated our 5th birthday in May of this year,” said Gamboa. “In the fall of 2022, we also celebrated the sale of our 500,000 JFA pet!”

Improving the quality of life

Pet ownership can lower the risk of death by more than 24 percent. But only 55 percent of adults between 50 and 80 years old have a cat or dog. Moreover, only 50 percent of senior living centers allow residents to own their own pets.

That is why Ageless Innovation teamed up with 12 U.S. State Agencies and local members of the state aging network in over 20 states—including Florida, New York, Alabama, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, to distribute tens of thousands of JFA Companion Pets to socially isolated seniors. For example, The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) started a JFA pilot program in 2018. Greg Olsen, the acting director of NYSOFA, gave 60 pets to isolated seniors. After one year, more than 70 percent of the seniors reported a significant decrease in loneliness.

“The goal of each partnership is to ensure that seniors, caregivers, and communities have the tools they need to combat social isolation, loneliness, and cognitive decline during the pandemic and well beyond,” Gamboa said.

Backed by science

One scientific study found JFA Companion Pets boosted mood and wellbeing in seniors with dementia. The pets also reduced psychological symptoms like apathy and delirium. The Association of Relatives of Alzheimer's in Spain even reported that robot pets awakened the "hidden" emotions (e.g., affection, empathy, joy, or socialization) of isolated seniors in long-term care facilities.

Artificial intelligence in robotic pets

From reducing medication errors to custom virtual healthcare assistance, artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping health and medicine. But JFA does not plan to incorporate the technology into its award-winning product line. “Our products are solely designed to provide joy and companionship. Joy is an essential part of well-being and health,” said Gamboa. “It is important to remember to fill our lives, not just with things we need, but with enjoyment as we age.” http://joyforall.com

Cherese Cobb is a professional writer and photographer from Tennessee. When she’s not penning copy for magazines and blogs, she splits her time between family, nature, and cat-worship—chugging coffee to survive all three.

Ouch! Hot pavement hurts! Get your dog used to wearing protective footwear. Shield those precious paws from scorching pavement with Urban Walkers from Healers Pet Care. Created with comfort, quality, and effectiveness in mind, Urban Walkers provide the ultimate protection. Sold in pairs (because rear paws tend to be smaller than front paws), they are sure to stay on your pup’s feet. Check out their most helpful, detailed measuring guide. Machine washable. ($29.99, healerspetcare.com)

Keep damaging beams at bay with a fashion statement made to protect.

Dinky Dog Club brings you Gold Paw Series Sun Shield Tees to protect your pup from the sun’s harmful UV rays. The SPF 50 shirts are soft, stretchy, and thin enough to wear under your dog’s harness or life jacket. Available for dogs 2 pounds and up and in an assortment of colors. ($24.99–$34.99, dinkydogclub.com)

Nothing is cooler than having your own pool.

Just ask Luna Mae Dolphin as she lounges in her new Bone Pool from One Dog One Bone. Made in the U.S.A. and exclusively for dogs, these heavy-duty, 11”H × 44”W × 66”L vessels hold 85 gallons of water. Choose from White, Sand, Blue, or Grey. Models with misters and smaller-sized Paw Print Pools are also available.

($639, U. S. Continental Shipping Included, onedogonebone.com)

Easy to make, cool, refreshing treats.

The Pupsicle Starter Kit, complete with two flavors of nutritious Pupsicle Mix (Beef and Cheddar and Turkey and Cinnamon) plus a silicone mold, is all you need to make your dog fresh, delicious, frozen treats for those hot summer days! Just add water to the mix, pour into the mold, and freeze. Made in the U.S.A. No added sugar, salt, preservatives, color, or artificial flavors. (Regular $29.99; Grain Free $32.99, coopersdogtreats.com)

When the weather warms up or when the activities get more energetic, our beloved furry family members can quickly get overheated! At CoolerDog, our passion is designing and making cooling products that work well, are comfortable for dogs, while being convenient and affordable for you. As cooling professionals, we understand that the three best methods of protecting a dog from the heat are: Physical Cooling, Hydration, and Shade

Physical Cooling

Here are a few tips to help keep our dogs safer and more comfortable in the heat. First, it is important to recognize that 70% of a dog’s heat is dissipated from underneath the dog. This is where the hair/fur is the thinnest and blood vessels come closest to the surface of the skin. Dogs have the thickest fur/hair and fat stores on their backs. Instinctively, dogs know how to cool off. They will seek out a tile floor, the grass under a tree, a puddle, etc. That cool surface will absorb the excess heat from the animal. Unfortunately, however, those cool places aren’t always available. At CoolerDog, we worked with veterinarians to create unique mats and wearable vests and collars that are very effective at using the heat absorbing power of thawing ice to draw excess heat from the underside of a dog wherever you happen to be. freezable bowl can be a good option for keeping your dog’s water cool even if you have to be gone during the day. Lastly, many of us have active lifestyles and we want to include our dogs in our activities. Bringing a portable, collapsible bowl will help you to be ready when you are on the go.

We often hear that dogs sweat through their paws. This is true. However, this doesn’t mean that this is how they cool off. Hot weather can make places where dogs are walked quite hot for a dog’s feet. Walking dogs during early in the morning or late at night, can help. If you are walking at night, consider using our Hi-Vis, reflective cooling collar so that your dog will be better seen by drivers.

At CoolerDog, we have developed solutions to help dog owners meet the needs of their beloved family members at home or on the go.

Hydration

The other 30% of a dog’s heat is dissipated through panting. Heat travels out in the warm, moist air when a dog exhales. So, it is important that dogs stay hydrated. A dehydrated dog in the heat is a dog that could soon be struggling.

Here a couple of tips for getting dogs to drink more water. First, dogs are instinctively drawn to moving water. In nature, moving water is “safe” water, stagnant water is not. So, having a fountain with moving water can draw your dog to drink more. Like most of us, dogs prefer cool water to warm water. A

Shade

While Physical Cooling and Hydration help to care for a dog that is already hot, another approach is to help protect dogs from the sun, even when your plans take you away from home. All dogs can be susceptible to overheating and the potential harmful effect of over-exposure to the sun and UV rays. Short-nosed breeds and dark-colored dogs may be more vulnerable to the heat, while thin-coated and light-colored dogs are more prone to sunburn and sun related illness as well. The Pop-Up Shade Oasis from CoolerDog, has a unique top material that blocks 98% of UV rays. It stores flat and sets up in seconds.

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