Since its beginning, Silverado Senior Living has believed in the therapeutic value of pet interaction and to this end, our communities have adopted an array of pets to meet almost any desire. Our pets include cats, dogs, and a variety of birds, but some communities are also home to more exotic animals such as mini-horses, piglets, bunnies, and even a chinchilla.
Community pets are usually brought in from rescue societies and given a second chance at life. These pets have often been abused or abandoned and so the love they receive is reciprocated to our residents many times over. They truly become part of the Silverado family and energetically seek the interaction and companionship of our residents.
“No matter how many people live and work at a community, our pets make you feel like YOU are the one they love most,” explains Carole Shaw, Administrator of Silverado Senior Living in San Juan Capistrano.
Community pets also encourage our residents to be more active and encourage their engagement with the world around them. Outdoor activities are especially successful when pets are frolicking and our residents often times assign themselves the responsibility of walking them around the community. It becomes their ‘job’ and caring for the pet, even just for a short stroll, gives them a sense of self-confidence.
“We often see residents who are very reserved, laughing and enjoying the company of a pet companion. Pets can take away the stress of the day by simply making you smile,” shares Carole.
This is especially true for those in later stages of memory decline. For these residents, confusion and disorientation can often make the expressions of emotions difficult. Yet, the touch of an animal can make their face light up in a way that is evident to all around them.
These experiences and interactions make our communities feel like home, but they are also reminiscent of Silverado’s philosophy to give LIFE to those we serve.
