Most senior housing has a pet weight limit

Older adults benefit from pet ownership in tangible and intangible ways. вЂњJeanette is still trying to figure who her Secret Santa is.вЂќ Jeanette stated вЂњNo one has ever done something so nice for me in my entire life.вЂќ Benefits Pets Bring to Seniors вЂњLilah and Jeanette have become fast friends, spending their days together and filling the void each of them had in their hearts,вЂќ Blum says. These days, Jeanette goes on outings with other residents, meets with a personal trainer twice a week, and spends a lot of time cuddling on the couch with Lilah. вЂњHer eyes lit up,вЂќ recalls Linzi Hise, the community resource manager at Highgate at Great Falls who drove nearly 200 miles to Bozeman to pick up Lilah from the animal shelter. On Christmas Day 2016, the team at Great Falls surprised Jeanette with Lilah, a calm and loving black Labrador mix who had recently been surrendered by her elderly parents due to medical conditions. Staff at the assisted living facility knew just what she needed. Unfortunately, her husband was unwilling to part with the dog.вЂќ Over the years, this dog had become her daily companion and source of unconditional love through all the trials that Jeanette faced.

вЂњAfter spending time with Jeanette, she finally told us that the one regret she had was not being able to bring her dog with her. вЂњTeam members and family alike were trying to find a sense of purpose for Jeanette once again,вЂќ says Leslie Blum, executive director at Highgate at Great Falls. Depressed and isolated, Jeanette spent most of her time in her room, foregoing activities and skipping meals. She left behind her home and everything she owned, including her dog, who belonged to her now-ex-husband.

Most senior housing has a pet weight limit