Christian Health Care Center Residents Enjoyed Special Canine Visitors from Area Animal Shelter

Residents from Heritage Manor Nursing Home at Christian Health Care Center (CHCC) in Wyckoff recently enjoyed a visit from a volunteer from Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge Inc., a no-kill animal shelter in Oakland, who brought two shelter dogs. In preparation for their visit, the residents had made homemade dog treats and catnip toys for all of the shelter animals. The residents loved meeting adorable Tofu, a Chihuahua, and Beethoven, a beautiful black Spaniel mix.

“The residents absolutely love animals, and this is a great way for them to connect with the community and give back,” said Linda Bunker, ADC, Heritage Manor Nursing Home/Southgate Activities Director.

CHCC welcomes members of the community to bring their dogs for pet therapy for residents. The benefits of pet therapy are significant, and can improve both physical and mental health. Benefits include lowering blood pressure, improving cardiovascular health, lifting spirits and lessening depression, providing comfort, and increasing socialization, to name just a few. If you are interested in CHCC’s pet-therapy program, contact Ms. Bunker at (201) 848-4249 or email lbunker@chccnj.org.

“Our senior residents have enjoyed and benefitted from pet activities and interactions for many years at Christian Health Care Center,” said Ms. Bunker. “We held our second annual dog show last year. This particular event draws families and friends of our residents to visit with their loved ones and spend an enjoyable afternoon together. As a result of the event being such a success for two years in a row, we intend to make it an annual activity! The next dog show is scheduled for September 2017.”

CHCC provides a broad continuum of high-quality, compassionate care, offering superior senior-life, short-term rehab, and mental-health services. As a non-profit organization, we deliver Person- and Family-centered Care to our community based upon the Christian principles on which we were founded more than a century ago.

For more information, visit ChristianHealthCare.org.

CUTLINE: Heritage Manor Resident Edna Hughes holding Tofu