Saratoga News Photograph by George Sakkestad Humane Society volunteer Lisa Kares and her dog, Loki, visit with Hazel Oliver during their Hug-a-Pet visit at the Live Oak Adult Day Care Center. Hug-a-Pet program celebrates life By Shari Kaplan The nuzzle of a wet nose, a tickle of whiskers, a purr or a tail wag--when animals show affection, they do so with a love that is neither judgmental nor threatening. It can, however, be contagious, drawing responses even from people who might not respond to other stimuli. That's the idea behind the nonprofit Humane Society of Santa Clara Valley's Hug-a-Pet program and the reason it has experienced continued success since its 1982 inception. Currently, 26 volunteers bring their dogs and cats to homeless shelters, hospitals, nursing homes, day activity centers for senior citizens and various rehabilitation and therapeutic facilities. All dogs have passed the American Kennel Club's "Canine Good Citizen Program" and the HSSCV's own temperament test. Cats pass a similar test. Locally, the furry friends visit Live Oak Adult Day Services in Los Gatos, Community Hospital of Los Gatos, the Saratoga Odd Fellows Home and Terreno Gardens, a Los Gatos nursing home. Hug-a-Pet "ambassadogs" and cats also work with agencies servicing youths with mental, emotional, social or drug-related problems. HSSCV volunteer manager Kate Reynolds hopes to expand this portion of the program. "It's amazing what animals can do, and they ask very little in return," Reynolds says. "They can help build kids' self-esteem, enhance their quality of life and let kids who are depressed or aggressive become less depressed or aggressive through their pet-related experiences." The experience of talking with or hugging a pet is also beneficial to senior citizens. At Live Oak Adult Day Services--which offers weekday meals, exercise and social activities to Santa Clara County seniors who rely on caregivers but wish to retain some independence--volunteer Lisa Kares and her black lab, Loki, are welcome guests. According to Live Oak program director Pernilla Holmdahl, clients look forward to visiting with animals. "We've noticed very clearly that with peo-ple who suffer from aphasia, for example, it's somehow much easier for them to talk to a small child or an animal," she says, relating a story about one man who has great trouble with language but can find things to say about Loki. Seniors with Parkinson's disease or other disorders that cause tremor or weakness, Holmdahl adds, gain better control over their movements when they pet an animal. Professional studies have shown animal interaction also lowers people's blood pressure and heart rate and elevates their mood. "Some people--even if they're anxious--when they see the dog, they become very happy just to play with him and visit," Holmdahl says of the mutual affection between canine and seniors. "The most important effect is that it calms and comforts people. It's something they recognize and can relate to, no matter how disabled they might be." Kares has noticed a similar effect. "When I go there I feel really great. If I can reach even one person, that makes my day. One of the best things is hearing their stories. When seniors meet the dog it jogs their memories. I love my dog and I love helping people with him," she says. For information about volunteering with Hug-a-Pet, call 727-3383, ext. 742. [ Back to Contents Page | Saratoga News Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Saratoga News, September 23, 1998. ©1998 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.