It’s well-known (and scientifically proven) that interaction with a gentle, friendly pet has significant benefits.

Pets make humans feel good; anyone who’s ever stroked a dog’s fur or felt a cat’s thrumming purr knows this. Science tells us how and why pets can be therapeutic. Just 15 minutes bonding with an animal sets off a chemical chain reaction in the brain, lowering levels of the fight-or-flight hormone cortisol and increasing production of the feel-good hormone serotonin. The result: heart rate, blood pressure and stress levels immediately drop. Over the long term, pet and human interactions can lower cholesterol levels, fight depression and may even help protect against heart disease and stroke. This is why pets for the elderly can be so beneficial.

Some of the benefits of pet therapy are:

Physical Health:

lowers blood pressure
improves cardiovascular health
releases endorphins (oxytocin) that have a calming effect
diminishes overall physical pain
the act of petting produces an automatic relaxation response, reducing the amount of medication some folks need

Mental Health:

lifts spirits and lessens depression
decreases feelings of isolation and alienation
encourages communcation
provides comfort
increases socialization
reduces boredom
lowers anxiety
reduces loneliness

George Starkesen

“The best part of The Arbors are the people, the programs and the independence. I take daily walks around the neighborhood”

Doris Crotty

“I like the programs offered, they keep me busy and engaged. I love living here”

Dolores McCrone

“I’ve made The Arbors my home and I am very content”

Josephine Foschino

“I love making new friends and enjoying life”

Gladys Bischoff

“I love my beautiful room and all my friends”

Diane

“The life of a caregiver is truly very difficult, and with no training, I’m just a daughter, I made it work, but it got to be too much. It was a very difficult decision to have my mom move here. The folks here made my transition very easy, very helpful, very friendly, the staff is great. It was just a real comfort to me when I left. I felt that my mom was in really good hands. I have such peace of mind knowing that my mom is being well taken care of at The Arbors.”

Tom

“You can go home and sleep at night knowing your loved one is being taken care of. I am grateful to call The Arbors home for my father-in-law.”

Joan

“Living at The Arbors has changed my life completely. I am in a new world. When I started to fall last year, and had to be rushed to the hospital, I was scared. I didn’t want to leave my home. But I’ve made a lot of friends here. It’s a big family. Arbors makes it very comfortable for me. The staff are great, they would take you to the moon if they could. I say my prayers every night and thank God for finding this place for me.”

Elaine

“I love my apartment at The Arbors. It’s just enough space for me to relax. I spend my days socializing with my new friends in the shared spaces, so my home actually got bigger, not smaller.”

Helen

“Make new friends, but keep the old. Some are silver and some are gold…Over eight years, I’ve made a lot of friends, new ones, old ones, and I’ve enjoyed all of them immensely. I guess coming into a place like this, you wonder who’s going to be a friend, but then you find so many friends, whether they’re residents or staff. My favorite part about The Arbors is the people that I’ve met, they take good care of me.”

Providing an all-inclusive nurturing, supportive, and active environment that fosters independence yet offers assistance when needed.

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