The Companion Dog Program at Forward Living Senior Community, Hong Kong is a one year program by the collaboration of Hong Kong Seeing Eye Dog Association (HKSEDS) and Forward Living Senior Community, with a trial run from Dec 2023 to Apr 2024, and Nov 2024 to Nov 2025. Companion Dog was trained by HKSEDS and arranged to reside in the care home throughout the time.

 

The program was designed to enhance the quality of life for residents through the integration of trained therapy dogs. This initiative aims to provide emotional support, reduce feelings of loneliness, and promote physical activity among seniors. By fostering meaningful interactions between residents and dogs, the program encourages socialization, enhances mental well-being, and facilitates a nurturing environment.

 

Through structured activities and resident visits, therapy dogs offer companionship, stimulate conversation, and create a sense of purpose for residents. The program also includes training sessions for staff and volunteers to ensure safe and effective interactions. Overall, the Companion Dog Program exemplifies The Eden Alternative, person-directed care adopted by Forward Living, and enriching the lives of its residents, creating a vibrant community where both seniors and companion dogs both thrive.

 

Focus Groups and Quantitative Research has been conducted to collect data for the psychological well-being of the elder residents and staff. The immediate and spontaneous responses of the dog increased positive arousal in the residents, unlike other types of intervention (e.g., doll therapy). The residents also gained higher morale, were more motivated to engage in social activities, and showed less distress and apathy. The presence of dogs was helpful for distracting residents from pain and irritation, and even orient residents with dementia to the present, reduce confusion, and enhance attention. For staff members, most staff found the companion dogs helpful for enhancing the well-being of residents. Staff in both homes found human-dog interactions instrumental for lighting up the mood of the nursing home and the residents, as evidenced by positive responses from interviews among the residents.

Stephanie Law is the Managing Director of Forward Living Senior Community, Hong Kong. Forward Living is a Nordic Inspired home and the first Private home in Southeast Asia to be registered as an Eden Home under The Eden Alternative®, implementing a person-directed model to enhance residents’ quality of life.

 

As a registered Home Manager and with over 16 years of Care Practitioner’s experience, Stephanie has received the “Smart Ageing Leader Award” from the Golden Age Foundation and the “Global Ageing Trailblazer Award” from Ageing Asia. She serves as a Co-opted Council Member of the Hong Kong Association of Gerontology and a columnist for ETNET. Stephanie holds a Master’s Degree in Real Estate General Practice Surveying from The University of Hong Kong and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Asian Studies from The University of Michigan.