A group of Sooke volunteers are taking on the part-time role as a dog's best friend to keep seniors in Sooke connected with their canine companions.
Elderdog Canada provides free assistance and support for older adults with the care and well-being of their four-legged friends, said Kirsten Cannatella, local re-homing co-ordinator for Elderdog Canada.
The national registered charitable organization, founded 10 years ago in Nova Scotia, provides volunteers for anyone over 55 who can no longer walk their dog regularly.
"When I got involved as a volunteer a year ago, there was only one Elderdog in Victoria," she said. "Now there's a new one serving Sooke and the West Shore, with plans for another soon for Saanich to Sidney. They call local groups PAWDS, a cute play on words."
Elderdog Canada has two other PAWDS on Vancouver Island, one in Nanaimo and one in the Comox Valley.
"Sometimes we do a couple of walks a week for a senior," Cannetella said. "We have someone in Sooke with two dogs that we do in the morning and evening. Research shows that seniors benefit from the love and companionship that dogs provide, and our organization enables them to keep that connection."
Cannetella said it's also a great service for seniors who have to be hospitalized and need foster care for their dogs for a period of time.
"We had a gentleman who was actually putting off medical attention because he didn't know anyone who could care for his dog," she said. "We took care of his dog for a week while he was in the hospital having a pacemaker put in."
A lot of the 30 volunteers that took care of 56 walks in Sooke last week alone have their own dogs, but there are some who don't.
"It's great for people who don't have a dog and need that doggy fix," she explained. "Being able to keep seniors and dogs together is just so rewarding. You get to meet some really nice dogs, and really nice people. There's one 92-year-old woman I help out who's just a joy to chat with."
Elderdog Sooke is always looking for more volunteers, especially in summer when people go away, Cannatella said.
Anyone interested in finding out more should email sookewestshoredcs1@eldergog.ca.
