GLACE BAY, N.S. — A Glace Bay woman with a passion for dogs and helping seniors is starting an ElderDog “Pawd” for the Cape Breton Regional Municipality and is looking for volunteers.
Heather Kerr, 38, has been given the go ahead by the national not-for-profit organization, dedicated to helping senior humans and elder dogs, to start a chapter locally.
It is the second ElderDog chapter on Cape Breton Island — the first is in the Strait area.
ElderDog is dedicated to maintaining the animal-human bond between seniors and their canine family, which has been proven to help keep both owners and pets healthy.
This bond and the importance it has on mental and physical health in seniors has been extensively studied by ElderDog founder Dr. Ardra Cole, who started the organization in Halifax in 2009, after adopting her older brother's dog after his sudden death.
Along with walking and grooming, ElderDog volunteers can help with veterinary appointments and other non-medical needs. They also help with long-term care for elder pets who need fostering or adoption if their owner’s living situation has changed or they have died.
“I love dogs. I grew up with dogs … And I love seniors, so I thought this was a perfect fit,” she said.
Kerr learned about ElderDog from an article that appeared in the Cape Breton Post on March 24 about the Halifax Pawd and how the COVID-19 pandemic might increase demand for the service.
“When I read the article it just really spoke to me. I thought, you know what, this is something that I would like to put my time into,” said Kerr, who is a licensed practical nurse working with the Victorian Order of Nurses.
“It’s easy. It gets you outside exercising and you get to help seniors walk their dogs or take them to the vet. I just wanted to give them a hand I guess … To help out and take some stress off the owners and their dogs.”
Currently, Kerr has three volunteers on the ElderDog CBRM list and is hoping to get more throughout the area. Commitment can be one hour a week or more, depending on the individual's schedule, and volunteers must be 18 years or older. Minors can volunteer with their caregivers or parents.
She is also hoping to spread the words to seniors in the area who might need help for the short or long term.
Anyone looking for more information about receiving ElderDog assistance or looking to volunteer can email [email protected] or call the toll free number 1-855-336-4226.
