A non-profit organization devoted to helping seniors take good care of their canine companions is looking for volunteers in the Parksville-Qualicum Beach area.
ElderDog Canada is a national community-based organization that has provided free assistance to older adults since 2009.
“Seniors’ lives are often built around what they can no longer do. If they forget to turn off the stove, their children unplug it and buy them a microwave instead. If they can no longer take their dog for a walk or need to go into the hospital for a few days, they are told that it’s time to give away the dog,” reads a media release from ElderDog Canada.
Since its inception, it has grown to have multiple branches, called “pawds,” across eight provinces. There are ElderDog pawds in Vancouver, Thompson Okanagan, Sunshine Coast, Victoria, Courtenay/Comox and Nanaimo.
The pawds provide trained and screened volunteers who help seniors, age 55 and up, with daily pet care activities, such as dog walking, transportation to veterinary appointments and food delivery.
If an owner is unable to temporarily care for the dog, such as during a period of hospitalization, the organization provides foster care in a pre-approved home. In the unfortunate event that a dog requires permanent rehoming, it can assist, and specializes in the placement of senior dogs.
ElderDog began operating in Nanaimo in May 2020 and has over 70 volunteers, but only one in the Parksville-Qualicum Beach area.
Anyone interested in volunteering, even for just an hour a week, can email info@elderdog.ca, call 1-855-336-4226 or visit ElderDog’s website to download a volunteer application.
