Puppy love at Always at Your Side Daycare

Pet therapy — in the form of puppy love and canine kisses — was enjoyed recently by the members of the Always at Your Side Adult Day Care facility.

The Sept. 6 meeting happened between patients and dogs that staff from a Petland store brought to the facility.

Daycare owner Alexandra Alonso said the get together was so successful that more meetings between patients and pups are planned.

“The addition of pet therapy allows us to continue to provide a safe place for our seniors,” Alonso said. “Animals can help improve socialization - they listen without judgment and give unbiased affection.”

The daycare center, at 13965 NW 67th Ave., recently partnered with Luis Marquez, a Miami Laker who owns several Petland stores in Florida.

“The human - animal bond makes the elderly forget what they’re going through and really helps them,” said Marquez.

“Petland is always giving back,” Alonso said. “They support many community events … and when we reached out with the idea, they were thrilled to have the opportunity to help seniors in our community,” Alonso said.

Petland loaned the pups and staff to the daycare to make sure it was a safe afternoon for everyone involved, she said.

There may be numerous health benefits that come from pet therapy. It can lower blood pressure, encourage talking and reduce stress. Some patients with memory loss who interacted with animals showed improvements in behavior, according to a 2014 National Institutes of Health report.

“The addition of pet therapy allows us to continue to provide a safe place for our seniors,” Alonso said. “Animals can help improve socialization - they listen without judgment and give unbiased affection.”

PHOTO CAPTION: Digna Martinez, Herminia Albarran, and Marina Rodriguez meeting pet therapy companions at Always At Your Side Daycare.