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George, a West Highland Terrier/Maltese mix, is now a resident at The Delaney of Georgetown Village where he provides companionship to the human residents. The connection was made via Living Grace Canine Ranch’s rehabilitation program that helped George avoid euthanasia. Contributed/Living Grace Canine Ranch
Senior dogs facing euthanasia have been given a second chance in the Highland Lakes version of “Miracle on 34th Street”.
Living Grace Canine Ranch (LGCR) announced rollout of its Seniors for Seniors Program after the pilot resulted in dramatic wellness improvement.
A once perceived as “untouchable” shelter dog with no hopes of adoption became the lightning rod that has helped rekindle thirty-eight Alzheimer’s Disease inflicted senior citizens’ desire to participate in life.
Last summer, a Dallas animal shelter contacted Rhonda Minardi, founder of LGCR in Bertram, concern ing a 13-year-old West Highland Terrier/Maltese mix dog. The dog, George, had no chance of being adopted or transferred to Texas rescue organizations, and his euthanasia date was imminent.
Undiagnosed nor treated for any skin condition until arriving at LGCR, 80 percent of George’s body, including base tail and eyes, was infected and inflamed due to Malassezia pachydermatis, a common canine skin disease that scars the skin.
“Given the severity of George’s disease, his physical pain would have been excruciating. His time living in a shelter crate void of human interaction due to his appearance and odor was heart-breaking,” said Minardi. “George was a ‘shadow dog’ and to thrive emotionally, he needs close human companionship, preferably through touch.”
After rescue and treatment, George was paired with The Delaney of Georgetown Village’s memory care residents as an emotional support pet as part of LGCR’s Seniors for Seniors Program. To the staff’s amazement, dementia-related behaviors such as anxiety, agitation, depression and loneliness drastically diminished. “For some residents, the
“For some residents, the impact of George’s companionship has been profound,” said Amanda Herndon, director of Memory Care. “[One resident] had not spoken for over a year. Her life was one of isolation and human avoidance.”
George and The Delaney’s story doesn’t end there. The Delaney adopted George to make him a full-time resident of their facility and provide a forever home. LGCR hopes to make this the first of many such pairings to enrich the lives of senior persons and senior dogs.
Located in Bertram, LGCR is a 501(c)3 public charity that serves the state of Texas as the largest, most comprehensive in services senior dog sanctuary. Inclusive of all breeds, the organization welcomes adoption-disadvantaged canines due to medical, physical and emotional challenges.
