Alliance Homecare Offers Pet Therapy for Seniors

NEW YORK (December 12, 2017)—Alliance Homecare, a concierge home health care provider serving individuals and families in New York City, Long Island, Westchester and the Lower Hudson Valley, has partnered with Beau the Rescue to offer one-on-one pet therapy sessions for seniors and their Alliance home health aides. The collaboration brings “man’s best friend” into clients’ homes for quality pet interaction, reinforcing the Alliance’s high-touch approach.

Beau, a rescue from MaPaw Siberian Husky Rescue, was a neglect case; unwanted and unloved, he was placed on the euthanasia list where MaPaw saved his life. From the day Beau came into handler and owner Caroline Loevner’s life they wanted to pay it forward. Beau, a registered therapy dog through Pet Partners (petpartners.org), has weekly commitments in addition to Alliance Homecare clients, servicing persons living with HIV/AIDS, children with pediatric cancer and persons with disabilities.

Pet therapy, also known as animal assisted therapy, has been shown to have physical, emotional and psychological benefits for all age groups, particularly the elderly. In addition to reducing anxiety and depression, pet therapy has also been linked to lower blood pressure, reduced stress and increased social interaction.

“We’re very excited to introduce Beau the Rescue to our client population. As part of an ongoing effort to improve the lives of our clients and increase interaction and activity in the home, Beau is the perfect addition to our service offerings,” explained Alliance Homecare co-founder and CEO Greg Solometo. “As a tremendous dog-lover myself, I know the significant benefit pet therapy can have for our clients.”

Select clients will receive a monthly, 45-minute visit from Beau and Caroline, complete with petting and basic tricks. The pet therapy program also includes a corporate social responsibility component. For each visit from Beau, Alliance Homecare will donate $25 to one of three nonprofit organizations—the Ronald McDonald House, the ALS Association or the Michael Magro Foundation. Alliance is also suggesting each client’s family make a one-time donation of their own denomination.

“I’m so thrilled to have partnered with Alliance Homecare on this initiative,” said Loevner. “Beau has an ability to make everyone around him happy. It’s especially gratifying when you see an elderly person who may have had a pet in years past, even momentarily, experience that same joy again.”

Visit alliancehomecare.com for more information.