Pets have played a prominent role at Arrow Senior Living since its founding. In fact, a dog named Gladys Harris served as the company’s “canine executive officer,” working alongside CEO Stephanie Harris. Today, “Gussie Glimmer Harris” has succeeded Gladys in that position and is featured alongside dozens of other animals on a page devoted to the pets of team members on Arrow’s website, with positions ranging from “resident fetchsperience director” to “director of puproll compliance.”
Shannon Novak, senior director of marketing for Arrow, said Gladys and her early role with Arrow helped highlight for the team the powerful impact that pets can make for people.
“She was an original member of our consulting arm, Turnaround Solutions for Senior Housing, and lived in communities alongside our team, creating connections, bringing joy and easing stress everywhere she went,” Novak said. “So, we saw firsthand from the very beginning how vital pets were.”
Arrow is among the senior living communities that have made a commitment to being pet-friendly homes for their residents, taking the necessary steps to create a climate where residents can keep pets in a way that is not disruptive to other residents or to a community’s operation. Being pet-friendly takes effort, but it is well worth it, according to Patricia Will, founder and CEO of Belmont Village Senior Living. She said Belmont has always seen its communities as an extension and improvement from living at home and for many home and a beloved pet go hand in hand.
“As people age, pets take on an outsized role as companions/family members,” Will said. “Since opening our first community nearly 30 years ago, we have welcomed pets that move in with our residents. This underlines our company’s mission to harvest the opportunities that are inherent in senior living. I couldn’t imagine moving anywhere without my beloved pups.”
A wealth of benefits
Senior living administrators point to a range of critical benefits to incorporating pets into a community. In general, research shows that pets can have a positive impact on physical and emotional health, including improved heart health, enhanced mental wellness and increased level of social support, Terry said.
“Pets truly bring joy, comfort, love and companionship to our residents and associates every day,” Terry said. As James Arp, executive director of Belmont Village La Jolla, said, “Pets are soothing for the souls of our residents.”
Carlene Moto, chief marketing officer for Belmont Village Senior Living, said pets support Belmont’s culture by enhancing residents’ quality of life through “companionship, purpose, engagement and emotional well-being.”
“They help create a home-like environment where residents can maintain meaningful connections, experience joy and live with dignity and independence,” Moto said.
Novak said pet companionship can improve quality of life by helping to ease loneliness, particularly during the major life transition of moving into senior living, and bringing comfort, stability and a sense of purpose to their humans.
“Just having a pet nearby can help reduce stress and anxiety, and the day-to-day responsibilities of feeding, grooming, going for a walk, etc., give residents a reason to stay active and keep a routine,” Novak said.
Pets also can help bring people together, she said.
“Senior living is all about community, and pets are natural icebreakers,” Novak said. “They spark conversations and make it easier for residents to connect with each other. When you put it all together, pets don’t only benefit the individual resident; they also help create a more connected and welcoming environment for everyone.”
Operational considerations
Sara Terry, vice president of resident and family engagement and experience for Brookdale, said Brookdale supports the presence of pets in all assisted living, independent living and memory care communities as long as they meet their community-specific requirements and residents or a pet caretaker can provide care for them. Brookdale recently was honored as the first senior living company to be named a “Best Pet Workplace” by WUF (With U Forever).
“We understand that pets are an important part of the family and individual well-being,” Terry said.
Allowing and managing pets in a community requires careful attention to processes, protocols and planning and a commitment to following through on well-crafted policies. Different communities and providers have different approaches, but common themes include safety and creating a climate that is supportive of all residents.
“When a resident moves in, we truly see our community as their home,” Novak said. “And for so many of us, home just isn’t the same without a pet. So, especially at a time in life when it seems like residents hear ‘no’ more often than ‘yes,’ we want to create a place where they can keep the things, and the companions, that matter most.”
Residents in Belmont Village communities may keep small pets so long as the resident, a family member or a responsible party can care for them and maintain the residence and the pet’s environment in a clean and sanitary condition. The residents are responsible for keeping their pets up to date on annual inoculations and flea protection. Pets must be on a leash when outside the residence, and it is the responsibility of the resident or party to clean up after them.
At Brookdale communities, pets must be registered, have up-to-date vaccinations and wear a collar with ID information that is current. Terry said Brookdale requires a nonrefundable pet fee and generally allows one pet per apartment.
“Residents must be able to care for their pets, including feeding, walks and administering medication or make arrangements for someone else to do so,” Terry said. “Some of our communities do offer optional add-on services, such as help with walking or feeding, to provide extra support when needed. We also have policies governing pets in our communities to remain respectful of residents and visitors who are not animal lovers.”
Arrow is among those providers with optional services available for residents who need support caring for their pet. Novak said mindfulness of both cleanliness and maintenance is an important component of managing pets in a community, including considering factors such as accidents, odors and general wear and tear. Safety also is important, encompassing everything from vaccination records to the temperament of animals.
“We also have to be thoughtful of those residents or staff members who aren’t comfortable around animals, or who have allergies,” Novak said. “There’s a bit of added coordination for staff as well, as team members may need to help residents provide care for their pets.”
In a memory care setting
Animals offer unique benefits – and challenges – in a memory care setting. In particular, animals can help reduce symptoms of anxiety, stress and depression and can instill comfort during times of transition or cognitive decline, said Joyce Mahoney, vice president of memory care and programming for Belmont Village.
Animals provide unconditional affection and companionship and “create opportunities for joy, purpose, pleasure and can be a segue for sharing personal stories with others, an extension for friendships,” she said.
Jennifer Boonstra, director of resident experience for Anthem Memory Care, said pets can offer vital advantages in a memory care setting.
“For many residents, pets have been an important part of their lives and homes, so having animals in the community can bring a sense of comfort, familiarity, and companionship,” Boonstra said. “Research has shown that interaction with pets and pet therapy can help reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, decrease agitation and sundowning behaviors, encourage socialization and improve overall mood and emotional well-being.”
At Anthem Memory Care communities, the executive directors and clinical teams consider resident requests to live with a pet on a case-by-case basis.
“They will evaluate whether the resident can safely care for the animal and whether having the pet is appropriate for the community,” Boonstra said. “Family/POA is responsible for providing pet supplies, vet care, grooming and any medications that the pet requires. Residents need to be able to manage the daily care of their pet as well.”
In addition, visiting pets are welcome as long as owners can provide proof of up-to-date rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats, and animals must remain under owner control and be well-behaved around residents, staff and other animals, Boonstra said.
“These policies help ensure the safety and well-being of both residents and pets in a memory care environment” she said. “Because residents may experience changes in memory, judgment and physical abilities over time, clear guidelines help ensure pets receive proper care while preventing situations that could create health, safety or sanitation concerns for residents, staff and other community members.”
Boonstra said the largest operational challenge in memory care communities is that once a resident progresses in their dementia journey it becomes increasingly difficult for them to be able to manage the care of their pet on their own.
“The community leaders and families make as many adjustments as possible, though, to ensure that they can remain a companion for the resident as long as possible,” Boonstra said.
Pet therapy and other programs
Pets, of course, are only one way communities welcome animals to their properties.
For instance, many of Belmont Village’s communities incorporate pets into programming, and many partner with shelters whose pets come to visit and play with the residents. In addition, employees often bring their pets into the community to interact with residents. Meanwhile, many communities give their time back to local shelters by making toys, treats for dogs/cats and holding pet adoptions in the communities.
Some Brookdale communities also welcome therapy pets for residents. Terry said sessions usually involve dogs or cats, but also have included tiny horses, goats and other animals. “Some communities even engage with goat yoga,” Terry said.
Brookdale’s community associates and company support center associates also are allowed to bring pets to work.
“We believe supporting the well-being of our associates ultimately enhances the high level of care and compassion we deliver to residents,” Terry said.
Novak said Arrow creates a rich variety of ways for residents to interact with animals beyond keeping them as pets. Therapy dog partnerships are always a hit, she said, but visits from reindeer, ponies, goats, alpacas, tortoises, lizards, snakes, rabbits, chinchillas and all kinds of birds are also in the mix, depending on the community. “It really runs the gamut,” she said.
Arrow also incorporates animals into its traditions and acts of service. During Justice for Animals Week, the organization partners with local rescues to bring in animals and host adoption events. Communities also have volunteered or made donations to shelters, and Arrow celebrates Don’t Step on a Bee Day every July.
“The experiences are so varied, and they bring joy to both residents and staff,” Novak said. “There’s always something new and unexpected, and it gives everyone something to look forward to and talk about.”
Boonstra said pet therapy plays an important role in life enrichment programming at Anthem Memory Care. Communities typically welcome certified therapy dogs or cats on a weekly basis to give residents the chance to interact, engage and enjoy their companionship. Anthem communities also offer memorable animal experiences beyond therapy, such as visits from farm animals like goats, baby sheep, mini cows, chickens and miniature horses.
“These experiences often spark memories, conversations and connections, especially for many residents who grew up on farms or around animals throughout their lives,” Boonstra said.
Several communities also have resident animals that live on-site, including birds, fish, chickens and even a ferret. In addition, Boonstra said when residents have further progressed in their dementia journey, Anthem also incorporates lifelike robotic cats that have been shown to bring comfort to residents.
“These animals become a beloved part of the community, providing daily opportunities for engagement, companionship, purpose and conversation,” Boonstra said. “We also incorporate outings to petting zoos and equine therapy programs, allowing residents to experience the therapeutic benefits of animal interaction in a variety of meaningful ways.”