Continued: A Healthy Partnership

Prancing dogs. Pouncing dogs. Scampering dogs. Tussling, tug-o-warring dogs. Scene from a dog park? Not quite.

Instead of a sprawling park, sheets of vinyl and pet fencing created a makeshift play space for pint-sized pooches - none much bigger than a hefty house cat. In lieu of the great outdoors, the pups roughhoused in the common room of Walker Elder Suites in Edina.

Playgroup has dual purpose

While playing was great fun for the dogs, their presence fulfilled another role - helping seniors in this assisted-living facility reconnect with the time when they had homes and pets. Facilitating this connection between seniors and pets was the brainstorm of Wendy van Kerkhove, owner of Fresh Air Training. About 10 years ago, she served as a hospice volunteer. "They always hooked me up with someone who loved animals," she says. From there, she began taking her dogs to nursing homes for visits.

And then came Pint-Size Play, (PSP) a program developed by van Kerkhove that offers organized playgroups for small dogs. PSP gives small-dog owners the opportunity for their pets to socialize and romp in safety.

Her experience at the hospice and nursing homes, combined with the success of the small-dog and play sessions, triggered van Kerkhove's brainstorm. She started contacting assisted-living facilities and asking if she could host Pint-Sized Play sessions at their location. Walker Elder Suites jumped at the opportunity.

"This is such a rewarding experience for our residents," says Karen Edberg, director of marketing for Walker Elder Suites. "It reconnects them with their earlier lives. We have residents who haven't missed a play session since the program started."

Every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., a fairly regular group of 10 and more dog owners bring their pets to Walker. There's no cost for the facility - the clients pay $10 for each session. On one chilly April Sunday, a revved-up mix of little dogs including a bichon, Chihuahuas, a Boston terrier and a miniature dachshund frolicked in the enclosure, supervised by van Kerkhove and their doting owners. The energy level ratcheted up as each new arrival joined in the ruckus.

Playing good for pets and people

Residents gathered just outside the pen to watch the dogs' antics, smiling and reminiscing about pets of their past. One resident recalled her two Chihuahuas, Dawn and Dusk, and showed pictures of them performing for a treat. Another told how when her granddaughter was three, she had to have a dog just like grandma's.

During a lull in the pen action, owner Marybeth Reed of Lake Elmo and her nine-year-old niece Emily took Huey, a Yorkie-Jack Russell mix, to greet the residents. A good sport, Huey let them pet, hold and coo over him. "I think this is a wonderful idea," Reed says. "I know how I'd feel if I was without my dog. And I like bringing my niece. I think it's a good chance for her to volunteer and interact with the residents."

"This is different from other play groups," says Ashii Webster of Minneapolis, who brings her dog, Remy. "The residents get joy from seeing the dogs play and that gives me joy, too."

Companion animals improve health

Research shows the benefits of caring for or even just petting, talking to or watching a companion animal include:

• Improved sense of purpose and fulfillment.

• Reduced feelings of loneliness and isolation.

• Lowered blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

• Increased survival among heart-attack victims who own dogs.

• Improved blood circulation.

• Slowed loss of bone tissue.

One Australian study revealed that pet owners typically visit the doctor fewer times and use less medication; recover more quickly from surgery and illness; and deal better with stressful situations. Pets also have been found to relax us, entertain us and open up opportunities for socializing.

Edberg agrees. Walker encourages residents' families to bring their pets and the receptionist's little dog "works" there on a regular basis. "Our residents love pet therapy," she says. "For Pint-Size Play, all we provide is the space and the residents. But it's absolutely priceless to us." n

Patricia Miller is Top Cat at Laughing Cat Communications, a communications planning, writing and editing company based in Minneapolis. patty@laughingcatonline.com