IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OLDER ADULTS THROUGH PET THERAPY:

The purpose of this project was to identify potential funding sources and write a grant proposal to fund an agency that provides pet therapy services to older adults living in institutional settings. The goal of the project was to reduce loneliness and depression for elderly people living in nursing homes by increasing comfort, companionship, and positive stimulation through pet interaction. A comprehensive review of the literature revealed the numerous benefits of pets for this population. Potential funding sources were identified through Internet search engines and grant databases that resulted in the selection of The Archstone Foundation as the best funding source to submit the grant proposal. A grant was then written to fund Prescription: Pets, an agency that is dedicated to enhancing health and quality of life of people by visiting nursing homes with their pet therapy teams. Kristen Hutchcroft, LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of California.