Nonprofit Helps Seniors Care for Their Dogs: “They Deserve Every Kindness”

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As we’ve previously reported, dogs and other pets can be a great help to seniors when it comes to companionship and overall well-being. However, illnesses and long hospital stays can often complicate pet care, something Carie Broecker discovered when she was helping a friend with emphysema look after her dog. “When doctors told Alice she had only a few weeks to live, she was moved into hospice care and I took her dog, Savannah, to visit,” Broecker recalled to The Washington Post. “She was anguished about what would happen with Savvy, because she had no friends or family to care for her. I told her, ‘No, don’t worry — I’ll make sure she’s okay.’” Broecker adopted Savannah and then co-founded Peace of Mind Dog Rescue alongside friend Monica Rua. The nonprofit takes in dogs temporarily, such as during a hospital stay, or permanently, in the case of an owner dying or no longer being able to care for the pet. Over the past 13 years, they have found new families for more than 3,000 dogs and helped 2,000 more stay at home by assisting owners with tasks like daily walks. “They deserve dignity, compassion, and love,” Broecker said of seniors and their furry companions. “They deserve every kindness.”

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