PAWS SWAP Program Page

We strongly encourage the relationship between senior citizens and their animals. This relationship is proven to be positive on both the physical and mental health of a senior citizen. Oftentimes, an animal is all the senior has for companionship; the reason why the senior gets out of bed every day. Reality is, many times, the senior cannot take care of their companion. Our goal in the SWAP program is to maintain the senior and companion animal bond. We are starting programs such as:

• Animal Care Outreach: We provide animal care for seniors in the community or a group living environment (nursing home, assisted living facility, etc.). Animal care such as walking, feeding, grooming, brushing, medicine administration, litter box cleaning, transport to vet; animal placement; training; respite care, whatever assistance is needed in order to maintain and promote this vital relationship.

• Food Pantries Outreach: We work with Long Island food pantries, senior centers, etc.- places where seniors go to pickup food, and have requested each organization to stock animal food on their shelf. We have contacted churches, synagogues, food shelves, etc.- places where people are requested to donate food and we are asking each host to include within their request, animal food so when people are buying food to donate, animal food is included.

• Pet Therapy Program: We have a pet therapy program where we train volunteers with their animals to be certified pet therapy animals so we can continue home visits to those seniors who reside in the community as there is a much wanted need with these seniors as well as bringing our animals into nursing homes, assisted living homes, group homes, veterans homes and senior centers.

• Senior Animal Placement Program: We place those senior animals who are in need of a new home due to the death or disability of their guardian. Many times, as we all are aware, the guardian may need an aide to assist but the aide does not “like” animals, or the Senior must move out of their home into a facility or with their children or due to death of the Senior. There are so many reasons why a senior citizen must give up their animal; many times, it is not their decision but someone makes it for them. Whatever it is, our goal is to bring the animal into our program so they do not go to the shelters. We are working to place these senior animals with senior citizens. We provide a life time commitment to these animals.

• Animeals: We are working with those seniors who require assistance with their pet food needs including home deliveries of food itself and also providing pet food on trays of home delivered meals.

• Respite Care: We provide pet sitting for those seniors who require short term pet sitting needs due to hospitalization, rehabilitation, etc.

If you are interested in this program, please contact us.