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Seniors, Snuffle Mats and Support for a Good Paws

Snuffle Mats

Residents at pet friendly retirement community give back to Pickering Animal Shelter, making donation and raising awareness

“A dog doesn’t care if you’re rich or poor, clever or dull, smart or dumb. Give him your heart and he’ll give you his.” Marley and Me

Our residents in pet friendly retirement homes cherish their animals, and, in doing so, recognize how lucky they are to be able to share their home and their lives with the creatures they love and care for.

Which is why when seniors at Westney Gardens had the opportunity to pitch in and help the Pickering Animal Shelter this spring making and donating pet snuffle mats while working to raise awareness about the importance of pet companionship, adoption, and support for shelters like these, they jumped at the chance.

Grace, a resident at Westney Gardens has two dogs, named Jack & Sailor. She knows first-hand what a great support a pet can be. “Jack and Sailor make me so happy and having them here means my friends get to enjoy their company also. We wanted to support the shelter so they can help animals find good homes – their work is important to so many of us – raising awareness so that more animals will find good homes.”

“We have birds, cats, dogs, you name it,” says Ashley who works at Westney Gardens. “Animal companionship is a wonderful thing. We want to help as much as we can so everyone can experience this kind of joy.”

Mary, who is also a resident at Westney Gardens, has a cat called Ollie and wants to help the shelter, “I love my cat – and I’m sure there are many other people out there that would benefit from the companionship a cat like Ollie brings to their day. I want to help so more people can have animal friends like I do. It really is a great thing.”

They are just some of the resident representatives involved in the initiative.

“Animals are such wonderful companions,” said Lindsey, a Shelter staff member for over 18-years. “We love it when we can help them find loving homes with families that will really benefit from all they have to offer. We appreciate the support and kindness from the seniors at Westney Gardens and know it will make a difference.”

The residents invited Lindsey to the Westney Gardens art studio to show her where they completed their work, meet their pets, and present her with the snuffle mats on May 31.

All our retirement residences are pet friendly. Westney Gardens has an off the leash dog park, equipped with a blue (phoney) fire hydrant, doggie bags, garbage, washing station and towels for their furry friends.

“We have birds, cats, dogs, you name it,” says Ashley who works at Westney Gardens. “Animal companionship is a wonderful thing. We want to help as much as we can so everyone can experience this kind of joy.”

As a group they feel good about their contribution and their push to inspire others to help the Shelter and the animals in it. They hope each pet is connected to someone that loves them. In the meantime, they want to remind others to take a moment to enjoy and hug their animal friends today, “Being with my pets here at home is the best,” says Grace. “Nothing beats a snuggle from a pet that loves you – it’s just the greatest thing in the world.”

Westney Gardens resident Mary and her cat Ollie

Mary and Ollie

Westney Gardens resident Grace with her dogs Jack and Sailor, in the pet washing station

Grace with Jack and Sailor

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