It was George Eliot who said “Animals are such agreeable friends. They ask no questions; they pass no criticisms.”
Staff at the Niagara SPCA and Humane Society know, as well as the English author, that no truer words have been spoken, especially about animals who spend their time with older adults in local long-term care as part of the shelter’s Everybody’s Animals program.
“Their faces light up when they see the animals,” says Tammy Gaboury, animal care manager for the organization. “They’re so happy and excited. Everyone wants to tell you their stories, and tell you about their pets and how long they had them (before moving into long-term care).”
So after Everybody’s Animals, a program that brings shelter animals to long-term care homes and seniors centres to visit with older adults, was paused during the pandemic, the Niagara SPCA and Humane Society made it a priority to re-start the initiative as soon as possible.
The shelter needed help to do that, however, and it came as a $22,500 grant from NCF’s David S. Howes Fund. The money enabled the SPCA to purchase gear for volunteers to make them easily identifiable to care home residents, and pet carriers and other equipment to safely transport dogs, cats and even rabbits to their visits. Money from the grant will also help the organization grow the program.
“The Niagara Community Foundation and all the support we’ve had from them over the years has been amazing for us,” Gaboury says. “Without these grants, a lot of our programs wouldn’t be available to our community. It really is a community effort and a community initiative.”
And one that’s invaluable, Gaboury notes. The impact of the connections made has been remarkable for both human and animal. Gaboury has no shortage of stories about older adults who are non-communicative with others but who open up in the presence of an animal. Animals have the chance to get better socialized and ready for adoption. Gaboury has also experienced countless benefits.
“It’s amazing to sit with the people and hear them tell stories of their pets,” she says. “We’re seeing the program grow in so many beautiful ways.”
