Companion pets available for dementia sufferers

They move, make noise and respond to your touch, but these animatronic animals are not your typical toy. The 20 dogs and cats currently sitting in the Crook County Senior Service (CCSS) office are designed to be companions for people suffering from dementia – and research suggests they can have a significant impact on quality of life.

“There’s a lot of meowing in our office,” laughs Jenna Ellsbury, Director of CCSS, who obtained the “Joy for All” Companion Pets through a grant from the Department of Aging and is hoping to disperse them throughout the county to those who may benefit from their...