How Therapy Dogs Bring Comfort and Joy to Assisted Living Residents

There’s Healing in a Wagging Tail

At Sarawood Assisted Living, we know that wellness extends far beyond medications and mobility. For older adults, joy, comfort, and connection are essential to feeling whole — and sometimes, that comfort comes on four legs with a wagging tail.

While we do not allow residents to bring their own pets, our therapy dog program ensures no one misses out on the emotional power of animal companionship. With regular visits from certified therapy dogs, our residents benefit from the unconditional love, calm, and laughter that these gentle animals bring.

The Emotional Power of Therapy Dogs in Assisted Living

Therapy dogs offer more than just companionship — they unlock meaningful emotional responses that may otherwise lie dormant. Especially for seniors adjusting to a new environment or grieving the loss of a spouse or longtime pet, animal-assisted visits can:

• Reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation

• Evoke positive memories and meaningful conversation

• Improve mood and emotional stability

• Provide a calming presence for residents living with anxiety or cognitive changes

🐶 “When Daisy the golden doodle visits, she always heads straight for Margaret. You can see Margaret’s whole face light up — it’s a beautiful connection,” shares a Sarawood team member.

Therapy Dogs Promote Senior Wellness — Naturally

It’s not just emotions — science agrees. Interacting with animals offers measurable health benefits for older adults:

• 🧠 Cognitive stimulation: Encourages alertness, especially for residents with memory loss

• 💗 Cardiovascular support: Lowers blood pressure and reduces heart rate

• 😊 Boosted serotonin and dopamine: Helps manage depression and stress

• 🦴 Physical engagement: Promotes gentle movement and social interaction

Even residents who are typically more reserved tend to engage during visits. We’ve seen firsthand how a simple act like reaching out to pet a dog can encourage movement, spark conversation, or even help someone find their voice again.

Why Sarawood Chooses Visiting Therapy Dogs — and Not Personal Pets

While we deeply value the healing role of animals, Sarawood does not allow residents to bring personal pets into our community. This decision is rooted in safety, health, and consistency:

✅ Reduces allergy and safety concerns
✅ Prevents pet care stress for residents
✅ Ensures predictability and control for all residents and staff

Instead, our therapy dog program allows us to provide structured, safe, and joyful animal interactions — accessible to every resident. All visiting animals are:

• Professionally trained and certified

• Calm and suited for elder care settings

• Scheduled regularly for both group and one-on-one visits

📎 Want to learn more about our community policies? Visit our FAQ page.

Creating Real Moments of Meaning Through Animal Companionship

These visits aren’t just events on the calendar — they’re emotional lifelines for many residents. A simple nuzzle or head on a lap can evoke memories of beloved pets, childhood homes, or long walks with a spouse.

In some cases, residents with advanced dementia or limited verbal abilities have shown remarkable clarity and engagement when interacting with our therapy dogs. These are the moments that reaffirm our commitment to providing whole-person care — body, mind, and spirit.

What the Research Shows About Pet Therapy for Seniors

Studies from trusted organizations like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the American Heart Association confirm what we see every day:

📊 Seniors who engage in animal-assisted therapy often experience:

• Fewer signs of depression

• Improved heart health

• Greater social interaction

• Increased motivation and participation in activities

At Sarawood, we proudly incorporate this evidence-based practice into our care model — not because it’s trendy, but because it works.

Closer Connections, Better Care — One Wag at a Time

Therapy dog visits are one of the many small touches that make Sarawood feel like home. We may not allow personal pets, but no resident goes without affection, engagement, or joyful moments.

🐾 Want to witness this heartwarming experience for yourself?
Schedule a tour of Sarawood Assisted Living in Holyoke, MA, and see how our therapy dog program brings comfort and connection into daily life.

📍 Sarawood Assisted Living
1 Loomis Avenue, Holyoke, MA 01040
📞 413-532-7879
💚 Closer Connections, Better Care