Elderly dogs that provide company to older people. It is the formula that the pharmaceutical company Leti Pharma has found to solve two social problems: on the one hand, the adoption of older dogs waiting for their opportunity in animal shelters; and on the other, that of unwanted loneliness.
The “Older Friends” project, worked together with the VML Health agency, part of VML The Cocktail, connects animal centers with senior residences. The initiative facilitates the organization of visits between each other to improve the well-being and quality of life of pets and people.
Shelters and residences can register and be found through a search engine with geolocation
According to Leti Pharma, these visits can bring joy, company, improve the mood, and energize the daily lives of the elderly; at the same time they help animals stay active and improve their well-being, benefiting from the advantages of socialization.
This is possible through a platform created for the initiative, in which both parties can “match” in a simple way. Shelters and residences can register and find each other through a geolocation search engine that makes it easier to coordinate meetings between residents and dogs.
Additionally, as the company explains in a statement, users can request the “Older Friends Kit,” which includes a scarf for the animal and a t-shirt for the person.
The ultimate objective of the project is to expand the adoption possibilities of the dogs, since, thanks to the visits, the animals can become known among those around the residents, such as family members, caregivers and nursing home professionals. In addition, the creation of emotional bonds that physically and emotionally benefit both parties is encouraged.
“‘Greater friends’ was born with the firm conviction that accompaniment between people and animals is not only an emotional experience, but a tool with a real impact on the quality of life”, commented Mar Grego, Vice President and CEO of Leti Pharma, in a statement.
The initiative is communicated with an audiovisual piece that conveys the essence of the project through real stories. Thus, visits were documented, such as the one that took place in Granada between Odín, a dog over 11 years old from the Granada Animal Rescue shelter, and María, a resident at the María Auxiliadora center in Almuñécar.
The agency highlights the simplicity, but also the power of the initiative. “These encounters are not just moments; They are an opportunity for both parties to change their lives. For dogs, a push to find a family, and for our elders, the pure demonstration that affection does not understand age or species.”said Cesar Pérez, Creative Director at VML Health.
The campaign encourages nursing homes and animal shelters to join the project and adopt the solution in their centers. It is run on social networks through the profile @porunmundosinleishmaniosis, a platform also promoted by Leti Pharma focused on animal health and the prevention of leishmaniasis.
More info.: Greater friends
