Dog Friendly Holiday House Sunshine Coast Queensland

Pet as a gift

When choosing a holiday gift for an older relative, consider a warm and fuzzy dog or a cat. A pet can provide companionship, open the door to neighborhood conversations and even improve a senior’s physical health, according to Matrix Home Care psychologist Alexander Fiuza, PhD, as director of client services for Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.

“A dog or cat can be the ‘purr-fect’ gift for a senior,” said Dr. Fiuza. “A pet offers a feeling of love and connection, which is very important to someone who is living alone or lacks companionship.”

Taking care of a pet can also change an elderly person’s lifestyle, opening the door to new daily activities, such as taking a dog for a walk or playing hide-and-seek with a cat. “Petting a cat or playing with a dog relaxes a human, as well as a pet,” added Dr. Fiuza. “By helping to relieve those internal stresses, a pet can improve the quality of life for an elderly person.”

Studies of nursing home residents found that seniors who were around pets smiled more often and were more alert than those who did not come into contact with animals. Holly Bedgio, RN, Matrix’ director of clinical operations/risk management agrees with those findings. “I believe pets can be a real morale-booster to almost any senior,” said Bedgio. “After I gave a small dog to her mother, who is living at home, I could see a real improvement in her attitude toward life.”

Dr. Fiuza notes clinical research studies show that having a pet also can provide physical health benefits for the owner, such as lower blood pressure and reduced cholesterol levels. A three-year study of 5,741 people in Australia found that pet owners had lower blood pressure and triglyceride and cholesterol levels than did non-owners.

“A pet can be the ideal holiday gift,” said Dr. Fiuza, “providing a loved one with companionship for many years.”