GROUCHO, THE SHELTER DOG, ADOPTS SENIORS AT VICTORY CENTRE OF GALEWOOD

Groucho, with one of his newly adopted seniors at Victory Centre of Galewood as part of the innovative See Spot Retire Program.

    Groucho, a young German Shepherd mix, moved into his new home at Victory Centre of Galewood, a supportive living community for senior citizens at 2370 North Newcastle. The mid-sized, mellow pooch was one of hundreds of dogs living in a city shelter with little hope for a happy future before the senior community adopted him as part of the innovative See Spot Retire Program by Pathway Senior Living, owners and operators of Victory Centre of South Chicago.
    Julie Casiello from Love Your Pet, Inc., who helped place Groucho, says the dog struck a chord in her heart. “I knew he’d be a good fit for the senior community.”
    Unfortunately, Casiello doesn’t see many happy endings like this one. In today’s economy, many families struggle to make ends meet due to the rising costs of fuel, food, and housing. “Pet ownership can be expensive, and it’s one area of the family budget that quickly gets cut when times are tough,” Casiello notes.
    The See Spot Retire Program gives shelter dogs a second chance, while in turn, the dogs help enrich the lives of their elder owners and create a more home-like environment in the retirement community. In this win-win situation, shelter dogs like Groucho enjoy a dog’s life while the senior residents experience the positive benefits of pet ownership, such as: reduced blood pressure; increased relaxation; stress relief; ease of pain; increased activity; better overall morale; help coping with illness, loss and depression; decreased isolation; increased communication; opportunities for touch and contact; and overall better physical and mental health.
    Groucho and the seniors are off to a good start says Shirl Harvey, Community Life Manager at Victory Centre of Galewood. The residents are already scheduling walking and feeding responsibilities for their furry friend, who freely roams the community interacting with residents and staff and greeting visitors.
    Victory Centre of Galewood is a Supportive Living community that features newer, private apartments with call systems, three meals a day, support services as needed, activities and outings, and other social opportunities at an affordable monthly rate. Pathway Senior Living facilitates the See Spot Retire Program at the other supportive and independent living communities it owns and operates in Chicago’s Roseland and South Chicago neighborhoods, and the suburbs of Bartlett, Calumet City, Country Club Hills, Elk Grove Village, Park Forest, Joliet, Melrose Park, and Vernon Hills (under construction), and in Detroit, Michigan. For more information on Pathway’s See Spot Retire Program, call 847-768-5100 or visit www.pathwayseniorliving.com.