Penny Craft, VA Voluntary Services Specialist, receives robotic pet donations from Jewish War Veterans Post 619 members. Pictured (left to right) are Penny Craft, Commander Jules Wyatt, Nancy Stutman, Gabe Forsberg, Judy Wolin, and Chuck Wolin.
Nancy Stutman
Who wouldn’t like to have a soft, furry animal that didn’t need to be walked, fed, or cleaned up after? By raising funds biannually in its Poppy Campaigns at Fry’s Market Places, Jewish War Veterans Copper State 619 (JWV) is delighted to be able to provide these pets for the Phoenix VA Medical Center dementia patients.
A $3,500 yearly budget has been set aside to purchase robotic pets, which are specifically designed for use by recreation therapists in the hospital when working with dementia patients. They are designed to look and act like animals that are commonly kept as pets. JWV recently presented the hospital staff with six Joy for All dogs; five Joy for All cats; 10 Squawker Walker birds, which, when attached to a walker, sing to encourage walking; two Perfect Petzzz; and three pet carriers. The Post will continue to supply additional pets throughout the year, as veterans are allowed to keep their “pets” at discharge.
The COACH (Caring for Older Adults and Caregivers at Home) VA program, comprised of nursing staff and social workers who keep veterans at home as long as possible, also uses robotic pets when visiting vets with dementia. They encourage their caregivers (often spouses) to use the pets as a nice distraction when they need to leave veterans by themselves for a while.
A pet can provide a variety of health benefits, including reduced blood pressure, cholesterol, and loneliness, as well as boosting exercise and socialization opportunities. Studies show that a robot pet can also have the same health benefits.
Researchers at Auckland University, New Zealand, found a robot companion could offer benefits to older adults like living animals, especially in improving the mental well-being and living standards.
According to studies by the VA, which began using robotic pets during the COVID-19 pandemic, in North Carolina, robotic pets at the Salisbury VA Community Living Center “have brought comfort, connection, and therapeutic benefits to veterans with memory loss, dementia, and depression,” the VA reported in 2022. “Patients tend to calm down when they have someone or something to nurture.”
Residents with mechanical pets in eight care facilities in Cornwall, England, showed “decreased neuropsychiatric symptoms” compared with those who didn’t have robotic animals.
This donation is one more example of how the Post can turn poppy proceeds into items that are specifically requested by the many local veterans service organizations. Poppy volunteers are needed only twice a year for a three-hour period to sit in front of an East Valley Fry’s Market Place and accept contributions that allow JWV to provide donations like these.
JWV Post 619, which meets the third Sunday of every month from September to June, boasts members who represent a wide range of religious affiliations and participates in philanthropic activities to help veterans of all faiths. To learn more about JWV activities and membership, contact Arthur Uram at 702-884-4175 or uramarthur@gmail.com.