Quick Take
- Puppies visiting older residents in an assisted living facility brighten their day in a cute video.
- Interactions with animals can improve the quality of life, reduce stress, and stimulate cognitive function in seniors.
- Puppies gain stress relief and social interaction from cuddles, improving their well-being during foster care.
You may have thought puppies were cute before, but seeing puppies snuggling in the arms of senior residents at an assisted living facility is next-level adorable! A video on Instagram shows seniors falling in love with a visit from puppies, and it totally melted our hearts.
“The pond pups visited the residents & staff of an assisted living facility recently & it was the sweetest time!” Instagram user @carter.cifelli, a rescue dog advocate, posted on Instagram. “These puppies are so snuggly & sweet, they loved falling asleep in laps, getting sung to, & all of the snuggles & attention.”
“These puppy field trips are so good for the soul 🩵,” she added.
Senior Smiles
Both dogs and seniors benefit from visiting each other.
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In the video, residents of an assisted living facility petted and cuddled with foster puppies. One man couldn’t stop staring at a pup who was sound asleep in his lap. A woman shared kisses with a playful pup on her chest. The seniors were talking to the dogs, many with huge smiles on their faces. Having these four-legged friends visit clearly brightened their day!
The comments were full of love. “The best therapy ever!! For the pups and these beautiful folks. ❤️” one person wrote. Someone else commented, “This is the absolute perfect place to bring these puppies !!! This is so good for these residents !!! I’m sure this absolutely made their day❤️❤️❤️❤️”
“This is so amazingly beautiful, this is exactly what they need,” another person commented. “Puppy love ❤️ is a must.”
How Do Puppy Visits Benefit Older Populations?
The psychological and physical benefits of visiting with animals are worth it.
©Budimir Jevtic/Shutterstock.com
It turns out, there are many benefits when puppies (and other animals) visit older adults.
One 2017 study of bringing pets into nursing homes found that the seniors in the facility enjoyed playing with the dog, even in those who were initially wary of the interaction. It encouraged social interactions and even helped stimulate conversations among the group.
Other studies of the geriatric population have found that interactions with animals can significantly improve quality of life, reduce behavioral stress and mood disorders, and stimulate cognitive function. How cool is that? Another study found that animals in senior care homes can significantly impact the residents’ health and well-being, including giving the residents a way to maintain a sense of self.
Puppies Enjoy Visiting Seniors, Too
It’s not just the seniors who benefit from these visits with puppies. The dogs feel the love, too! Living in shelters can be stressful for dogs and can often lead to a loss of appetite, depression, defensiveness, and other issues. Getting cuddles and pets can definitely benefit dogs, especially puppies.
It’s a win-win for everyone!
