Skip to main content

Robotic pets bring comfort to area residents without need of food, water, walking

Lead Summary
,
By
Mavis Fodness

The new housing manager of The Oaks and Poplar Creek Estates, Elena Heronimus, introduced herself to each one of the assisted living residents and visited with each one over the past couple of months.
She asked about family, careers and hobbies, receiving heartfelt answers from each resident.
However, one new resident kept herself isolated in her room, seemed confused and often cried during Heronimus’ visits.
As a result, Heronimus brought her a dog earlier this year.
“When I presented the dog to this particular resident, her eyes lit up,” Heronimus recalled. “The dog brought life back to her.”
The Joy for All companion pet pup is not a live animal, but a voice-activated robotic pet designed to bring comfort to older adults.
The local SW MN Dementia Awareness Network provided Joy for All companion dogs and cats to area nursing homes and a robotic baby to the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne.
The cat became a useful tool at the Tuff Memorial Home in Hills.
Jocelyn Jacobi said one resident was agitated and angry about the pandemic restrictions to spend more time isolated from other residents.
Jacobi gave the resident a robotic cat, which brought instant comfort to the resident.
She said the robotic cat now sleeps in the corner of the resident’s room, providing a calming feeling and distracts the resident from his agitated feelings.
When awake, the cat purrs when its fur is stroked, its head moves when it hears a voice, and meows in reply. When asleep, its chest rises and falls as if breathing.
The same interaction is offered by the dog that Heronimus gave her resident.
Through their conversations, Heronimus learned that the resident gave up her four-legged companion when she moved into Poplar Creek Estates. The move combined with the loss of her companion led to depression.
Like the cat, the orange-and-white puppy with a blue bandana tied around its neck interacts when spoken to or petted, barks, wags its tail and moves its head. When touched or petted, a heartbeat can be felt. The pup also naps by closing its eyes, but does not walk.
“I didn’t know how much the mechanical dog resembled her own dog,” she said. “But it did.”
Since becoming a dog owner again, Heronimus said the resident regularly leaves her room, joins in social activities, developed a group of friends and is happier.
The resident told Heronimus, “It’s so cute. I promise to take good care of him.”
A.C.E. of Southwest Minnesota organizes the dementia awareness network.
A.C.E. of Rock County coordinator Linda Wenzel distributed the companion pets and baby through a grant received by the network.
The pets cost $110 to $130 for a cat or dog respectively. Babies cost $120.
Last year’s dementia walk yielded $1,200, which was used to purchase additional sensory gadgets such as fidget blankets or pillows.
The next dementia walk takes place in September.

You must log in to continue reading. Log in or subscribe today.