Maple Tree Lane
Diana O’Connell
ElderDog Canada: For Elder Dogs, Elder Humans and Their Loving Helpers
If we live long enough, we all get older, and sometimes we’ll need a helping hand, or paw.
With her academic, research, and volunteer background in the care of dementia patients and their care-givers, ElderDog Canada founder, Dr. Ardra Cole, of Nova Scotia, saw first-hand the power of the animal-human bond with her animal-assisted therapy for seniors in long term and palliative care.
One day, Ardra’s brother died suddenly, leaving behind an elderly dog. Of course, she took him home to live out his elder years. Many older dogs are not so lucky.
These experiences were part of her inspiration to do more. ElderDog Canada was conceived and born in 2009.
Part of ElderDog’s Vision is, “To honour and preserve the animal-human bond through care, companionship, research, and education”.
Two aspects of ElderDog’s Mission are to, “Assist and support older adults in the care and well-being of their canine companions, and to provide care and companionship for older dogs whose lives have been disrupted due to illness or death of a human companion”.
“…ElderDog Canada represents a coming together of two things: a recognition of the vital connection between older adults and their dogs, and the importance of preserving the lives and dignity of older canines.”
ElderDog Canada’s credo is comprised of the following, for both humans and canines: dignity, respect, health and well-being, comfort, quality of life, tribute, integrity, and sustainability.
The above information was taken from ElderDog Canada’s website. Please visit www.ElderDog.ca for much more detailed information on what this caring organization is all about.
Email ElderDog at: info@elderdog.ca or call 1-855-336-4226.
Find them at ElderDog Canada on Facebook as well.
If you wish local information in the Truro and surrounding areas, email: elderdogcentralnova@gmail.com
As I grew older, I knew that I would not have the ability to keep up with younger, more active dogs; older dogs would be my cup of tea.
Time did march on, and here I was at that stage of my life, aging and finding myself with so much less energy, but still lots of ambition and will.
In the previous decade, I lost some important family members, along with beloved pets, whom I had the poignant honour of helping through the palliative stages of their dying. Those experiences were the defining factors in my next chapter, to do palliative care for older dogs.
In October of 2019, I joined ElderDog Canada.
Not long after, I got a call from our Central Nova Pawd leader asking me if I could make an exception and pick up a dog that was being relinquished to ElderDog. There was no one else available; would I please help?
I drove an hour away, and was handed the most beautiful Shetland Sheep Dog (Sheltie) that I had ever seen. His name was Oliver, and after four days, I was a foster-fail.
The new year of 2020, brought the pandemic and much of the world went into pause. Oliver has been a Godsend throughout.
In June of this year, I was called about a palliative dog relinquished to ElderDog; a tiny Shih Tzu, named Maggie, who then came into my care.
It’s been almost five months, and even though this wee girl has end-stage heart failure, she has a spirit and a will to live.
My husband and I provide Maggie with a loving, safe home with all the care a little dog with quality time left could ever need. I will take that final walk with her when the time comes.
As with any non-profit charity organization, ElderDog needs volunteers to fill a myriad of roles, from fostering, assisting seniors with dog care, and right up to the administration of this national organization.
There could be a place for you. I have found mine.
(Diana O’Connell is a foster fail and forever home for Oliver. She is also a palliative care foster and permanent home for Maggie. Contact Diana, Oliver, or Maggie at dianaoconnell[at]hotmail.com)
