Pet-Friendly Senior Living at Cappella of Grand Junction
For many people, having a pet is a part of daily life. They long for the companionship, loyalty, and protection that a four-legged friend provides. In fact, research shows that the majority of pet owners in the United States, no matter the stage of life, consider their pets to be family members and share a strong attachment bond with them. For residents and team members of our pet-friendly senior living community, the presence of pets is not only a part of daily life, but it has formed a bond and a community connection that goes back several years.
Rez Karp Becomes the First Resident Pet at Cappella
Joni Karp, Former Director of Sales & Marketing at Cappella, has been involved in the senior community of Mesa County for many years. Upon joining Cappella in 2017, Joni began bringing her dog, Rez, to work with her every day and Rez quickly became part of this community.
As local news outlets have covered many times over the years, Rez had an immense impact on the residents. Though she was just a puppy when she became Cappella’s resident dog, the residents seemed to calm her in the same way that she brought them peace and comfort. She greeted residents, allowing them to pet and pat her, and joined them on elevator rides, walks, and relaxed around the community.
As noted in a 2019 article in the Daily Sentinel, Rez had a 9-to-5 job just like Joni, eventually finding her routine, coming and going as she pleased, and enjoying the time spent with residents. Ultimately, community members and visitors of Cappella were comforted by her companionship, praising Rez for “brightening their days.”
As everyone who has owned a pet may have experienced, not all days are bright. Rez eventually passed on and it wasn’t long until Joni and her colleague, Barbara Schumacher, Sales Counselor, were hearing from community members who missed the presence of their beloved resident dog.
Welcoming Suzy, Cappella’s Resident Dog
Joni and Barbara realized the significant impact and benefits that this opportunity brought to the community, and now, Cappella has its own resident dog, Suzy. However, Suzy had a different and difficult path to her eventual home at Cappella.
Suzy, who was adopted in October by Barbara, is a 15-year-old Pekingese whose roots run deep in the Cappella community. Before being adopted by Barbara, Suzy belonged to a former resident. The resident and her husband were a charitable couple, making weekly trips to the local homeless shelter to donate leftover bakery items from her husband’s work. It was on one of these trips to the shelter that the husband encountered Suzy. After a few more trips, he took her home. When Suzy’s beloved owner required more skilled care and moved out, the family asked Barbara if she would please give Suzy a home.
Having previously lived at Cappella, it was a smooth transition when Barbara adopted Suzy since she was used to being in the building. These days, she serves as one of our resident dogs, greeting and offering comfort to community members every day. “The residents love to love on her, tell her how beautiful she is, and laugh about her “uppity” attitude!!! Anytime they can get their hands on her, they do!” says Barbara.
Barbara and Joni agree that Suzy is a perfect fit for the community. It’s clear that having a resident dog as part of the Cappella community is a well-made decision. And one that they don’t plan to look back on.
Positive Impact of Pet-Friendly Senior Living Communities
The inclusion of Suzy in everyday community life goes hand-in-hand with Cappella’s position on a pet-friendly way of life. Five other pets join Suzy in Cappella of Grand Junction – one dog and four cats.
As both residents and team members would attest to, promoting a pet-friendly senior living environment has a variety of both mental and physical benefits.
Relieves Loneliness and Isolation
Oftentimes, older adults experience the loss of close friends or loved ones in their later years. The transition to an assisted living community alone may induce feelings of loneliness and isolation. Pets can elevate an owner’s mood and bring happiness and companionship, buffering the effect of loneliness on older adults.
Promotes Interaction and Connection
Many older adults have had a pet at some point in their lives, especially in rural communities like Grand Junction. Whether residents have pets or not, pet ownership can bond community members by sharing old stories about pets.
Joni and Barbara shared that having resident dogs has been a best-of-both-worlds situation for many residents who like to be in the presence of pets and interact with them without having to take on full responsibility. It also creates a shared experience through which residents can connect.
Provides a Sense of Purpose & Comfort
Focusing on the health needs and daily care of a pet can be a meaningful task, giving owners a structured routine for their lives. Further, Joni shared that having dogs in the community has brought calmness to the residents, giving them a sense of home.
Improves Mindfulness and Physical Health
Studies show that companion animals can help lower cholesterol levels and improve heart health by lowering blood pressure and regulating heart rate during times of stress. Further, the CDC states that pets “increase opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities and contribute to better cognitive functions in aging adults.” Having a pet-friendly senior living community promotes healthier habits and lifestyles for residents.
Pets and humans have more in common than we may realize and the bond between the two can be significant. In the cases of Suzy and Eilean, they’ve experienced both hardship and joy, eventually finding their home at Cappella. Similarly, in whatever path led community members to Cappella, bonding over shared pets is just one more way that residents feel at home too.
