PAWESOME NEWS FOR HOUNDS AND HUMANS
Greyhound Rescue’s Australian first program, Hounds Helping Humans, is set to bring the joy of spending time with animals to more senior Australians following a successful trial.
Greyhound Rescue’s teams of handlers and hounds have been visiting residents at HammondCare’s Horsley, Wahroonga, and Darlinghurst aged care homes since June last year in a pilot program that has delivered tremendous results and improved outcomes for residents.
The partnership will now expand to more residential aged care sites, following an internal review that proved the program’s positives; strengthened relationships, elevated mood, and increased social connections were just some of the clear benefits for those involved.
Many of the 2000 HammondCare residents who will potentially benefit live with dementia. Scientific research has found significant health benefits for people living with dementia from animal engagement, and previous animal engagement programs with seniors have pointed to improved quality of life through decreased loneliness and depression, increased physical activity, and improved socialisation.
Quotes attributable to Greyhound Rescue President Nat Panzarino:
“Feedback from the handlers on the pilot was overwhelmingly positive.”
“They have enjoyed watching the special connections between the residents and greyhounds grow each week they visited. There is genuine excitement when the hounds arrive.”
“The handlers have absolutely loved being involved as well, it’s very fulfilling, and for many of the hounds, it has quickly become their favourite activity.”
Greyhound Rescue is a volunteer-run organisation, and we rely on the public’s generosity to fund programs like Hounds Helping Humans.”
“Anyone who wishes to support the program and donate can visit https://www.hammond.com.au/taxappeal and make a contribution.”
Quotes Attributable to Greyhound Rescue Volunteers:
“They perk up when they see my hound walk in. They open up and reflect on dogs they have had during their lives.”
“One resident asked ‘is he friendly?’. My hound answered by walking over to him and leaning against him in that special greyhound way that is guaranteed to make you feel happier and calmer. The resident’s face lit up, he was patting my hound and just smiling and smiling.”
“One lady in the common area was just sitting and smiling at my Greyhound Perseus. She couldn’t take her eyes off him and was grinning ear to ear. Feedback from other residents was this was a special reaction – she doesn’t normally react to anything!”
“We visited another bedridden resident. She brightens up when she sees us enter the room. We hang out together, and she gives our hound a pat and talks to him and talks to us. Looks like a real highlight for her. Her words: “Make sure you don’t skip my room!”
Quotes attributable to HammondCare CEO Mike Baird
“The greyhounds have brought joy to the faces of the residents involved throughout the pilot.”
“This is one innovative way that we can achieve our ambition to set the global standard for relationship-based care for people with complex needs.”
Quotes attributable to Dementia Centre Head of Clinical Services Associate Professor Steve Macfarlane:
“Research had found significant health benefits for people living with dementia from animal engagement.”
“Previous animal engagement programs with seniors have pointed to improved quality of life through decreased loneliness and depression, increasing physical activity and improved socialisation.”
“What better way to evaluate the success of animal engagement than to see the reactions from the residents – they clearly enjoy the interactions immensely.”
“Greyhounds were great for people in aged care because of their calm, affectionate nature and their higher stature, making them accessible to people confined to beds, chairs or wheelchairs.”
