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Aug. 19—SUPERIOR — Senior Connections is branching out to help Meals on Wheels participants care for their pets.
The Douglas County aging unit is accepting donations for its Companion Pet Program, which is expected to launch Sept. 8.
“Our hope is to help with medication, food, leashes, toys — anything for any pet, a dog, a cat, a bird,” said Molly Andrews, nutrition director at Senior Connections.
Andrews teamed up with Tracy Martinson, a member of the Senior Connections support staff, to develop the program. Martinson was inspired by a similar program in Florida.
“Every once in a while, I’ll look at other senior center and aging unit websites from around the country just for different ideas,” Martinson said.
“Molly said she thought it would be a great idea in addition to our nutrition program for Meals on Wheels recipients,” Martinson continued. “So that’s how it came about.”
The new program has already received some donations of collars and leashes, Andrews said.
Donations can be dropped off at the Senior Connections office at 1805 N. 16th St. Or donors can call 715-394-3611 to arrange to have the items picked up.
“We won’t have the Meals on Wheels drivers collect anything since that’s not their job,” Andrews said.
Senior Connections raised over $600 from its recent annual Superior Farmers Market cookout, and that money helped pay for bins and other supplies to get the program started.
Residents ages 60 and older who participate in the home-delivered Meals on Wheels program are eligible for the Companion Pet Program. Senior Connections will help with up to two pets per household on an as-needed basis. The program won’t provide financial reimbursements, but pet food and supplies can be delivered to home-bound individuals or picked up at Senior Connections starting the week of Sept. 8.
“By then, we’ll have all of our contacts with folks that are interested in being in the program, and we’ll have all the supplies purchased and on-hand,” Martinson said.
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