The Hinsdale Humane Society Brings the Power of Pet Therapy to The Birches

There is something about the unconditional love of a pet that makes you smile, lifts your spirits, and gives you an enhanced appreciation for life. In addition to the happiness they provide, research shows that pets can significantly improve your physical and mental health by reducing depression, lowering blood pressure, lowering cholesterol, and reducing the risk of heart disease.

Because of the recognized benefits of human-animal interaction, pet therapy programs have become increasingly popular in recent years. The Hinsdale Humane Society started its oldest and largest pet therapy program, Pet-a-Pet, in 1982 to enhance the well-being of people in nursing homes and retirement communities.

Every month, the Hinsdale Humane Society’s Director of Humane Education Kym Iffert and her dog Dino bring the benefits of the Pet-a-Pet program to the residents of The Birches Assisted Living in Clarendon Hills. Kym and Dino travel from room to room visiting the residents and brightening their day.

“It’s always such a pleasure to make our visits. Dino really enjoys the interactions and showing off his tricks.  Nothing makes him happier than a gentle pat on the head and bringing a smile to a new friend’s face,” said Iffert.

The goal of the Pet-a-Pet program is twofold; Pet a Pet visits are meant to reduce loneliness, while also encouraging reminiscence and recall among older adults. Iffert hopes she and Dino accomplish both of these goals during their visits to The Birches.

“Our favorite part of visiting is hearing stories of the residents’ pets. We love to listen while they reminisce, especially if it’s someone who hasn’t connected with us before,” said Iffert. “We hope it gives them something different to experience, a sense of pleasure, helps them recall happy memories, or offers a moment of comfort during the day.”

Iffert and Dino try to accommodate the needs of each individual resident during their visit. Some people prefer to be more hands-on with pets than others, and Iffert always respects that, tailoring each interaction to the individual’s comfort level.

“If invited into a resident’s room, we simply visit in whatever way the person prefers,” said Iffert.  “Often, it’s just sitting by the bed letting someone stroke his velvety-soft ears. Once in a while Dino gets to actually get in bed with someone— all 80 pounds of soft fur!”

In addition to the Pet-a-Pet therapy program, Iffert also recently gave residents of The Birches a tour of the Hinsdale Humane Society. Iffert says the Birches residents were eager to get a behind-the-scenes look at the Humane Society and were surprised by the organization’s level of involvement in the community.

“It was a real pleasure showing them around and explaining all the things we do in our shelter and in the community. The residents were surprised to hear about how involved we are with public education programs and how many different avenues we have when finding resources for our animals in need,” said Iffert.