Free Doggy Cuddles and Kisses Available to Homebound Seniors

Caregiver Canines^® Certified Therapy Dogs visit seniors at home for one-to-one play time and fun!

Toms River, NJ (November 30, 2017)—Stella is 103 years old and still lives in her home in Toms River, with her 84-year old daughter, Dorothy. Every week, they are visited by a dog therapy team from Caregiver Canines®, a program offered in Ocean County by Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey. When Barbara and her therapy dog, Christy, come to visit Stella, they have a routine. Stella sits in a dining room chair, and Christy jumps up on the chair next to her. Stella takes Christy’s head in her hands and gives her a big kiss, then they sit together while Stella feeds Christy bits of kibble and Christy patiently allows Stella to pet and talk to her. Christy seems to understand that Stella is very old, and doesn’t do anything that will startle her friend or cause her distress. Stella looks forward to these visits, as she is much too old to have a dog of her own and she has always loved them.

Are you or a family member a dog-loving senior unable to care for a pet of your own? Would you like a furry-faced friend to visit you in your home? Would it brighten your day to play and snuggle with a dog for a few hours? If you answered yes to any or all these questions, the in-home visiting therapy dog program Caregiver Canines^® was designed especially for you! This wonderful program is offered at no charge through the nonprofit agency Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey (CVCJ) and is available in Ocean County by calling 732.505.2273 or emailing info@caregivervolunteers.org.

The Caregiver Canines^® Coordinator will match you with a Caregiver Canines^® Volunteer Handler and Certified Therapy Dog for one-to-one visits in your home. The visits are typically about one to two hours each week, but you and your CVCJ Volunteer will agree on your own schedule. Therapy dogs come in all sizes. All therapy dog teams must pass certification testing, and we conduct background checks before home placement.

According to Sandy, who is visited by Caregiver Canines^® therapy dog Van, “these visits totally brighten my day and are a highlight of my week. I think of Van as my best friend now and I even celebrate his birthday!”

Therapy dog teams are awaiting your call. If you or someone you know would like an in-home visit from a Caregiver Canines^® Therapy Dog, please call the CVCJ office at 732-505-2273, or email info@caregivervolunteers.org. A CVCJ volunteer will register you for the program and a Caregiver Canines^® representative will schedule a visit to review the program details, discuss your preferences, and address your questions.

For more information about the Caregiver Canines^® program, visit CaregiverCanines.org, or find us on Facebook @caregivercanines.

ABOUT CAREGIVER CANINES^®

Caregiver Canines^® began in 2009 as a service offered through the nonprofit organization, Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey. This unique Therapy Dog Program visits homebound seniors, veterans, the elderly disabled, individuals with dementia, and family caregivers to loved ones with chronic illness, right in their own homes. The Therapy Dog and handler teams are all volunteers whose weekly visits bring great joy to those who are lonely and love dogs, but are no longer able to care for a pet. All Caregiver Canines^® therapy dog visits are provided free of charge to recipients. For more information about the program call 732-505-2273, visit CaregiverCanines.org or find us on Facebook @caregivercanines.

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