Explore the Joys of Pet-Friendly Senior Living at Westerwood.
While May is officially Pet Appreciation Month, we celebrate our furry, four-legged friends all year long. From wagging tails to soft purrs and warm cuddles, pets bring joy, comfort and companionship that make our community feel even more like home. As a proud pet-friendly senior living community, Westerwood offers residents the opportunity to enjoy the companionship of animals—whether you have a pet of your own or simply enjoy being around them. Discover how life with pets brings joy to everyone in our community.
The wonderful benefits of pets for seniors.
Pets are pawsitively the best—but did you know they can also be good for your health? According to the American Psychiatric Association, pets offer a range of mental and physical health benefits. Some benefits of pets for seniors include slowing cognitive decline and helping prevent dementia. The Cleveland Clinic also highlights some additional advantages of being around pets or owning them, which include:
- Reducing stress
- Lowering blood pressure
- Easing feelings of loneliness
- Encouraging social interaction
- Supporting a daily routine
- Providing a sense of purpose
The unexpected ways animals bring us together.
Many residents at Westerwood are pet owners, which creates a fun and supportive environment for animal lovers. When David Poland and his wife moved in with their 10-year-old cat, they quickly discovered they weren’t the only caring pet owners around.
David soon connected with a neighbor who also has a cat, and together they created a thoughtful, yet unexpected arrangement—taking turns caring for each other’s pets during vacations and weekends away. Not only does this save on boarding costs, but it also lets their pets stay safe and comfortable in their own homes. “It works out well,” David says. “The cat’s glad to see us when we get back and is also happy to see the visiting caretaker.”
A typical day with pets at Westerwood.
Pets are part of everyday life here—whether you have one or simply enjoy their company. It’s common for residents and staff to bring their dogs along for walks, fitness classes and community events, which brings extra joy and laughter to each day.
Our fitness instructor, Omar, and his dog lead group walks, while our marketing manager, Sami, often drops by with her friendly pups to say hello. Some of our community events are even planned specifically with animals in mind. We have dogs visit our memory care residents each month with a talented musician, and we’ve also invited tiny horses to join us for activities with residents. One of the best parts of life at Westerwood is that everyone has the chance to experience the comfort and companionship that animals bring.
Take a peek at what our pets love to do.
They dress up nice and spiffy to make residents smile during activities.
They grin as big as possible while soaking up warm rays of sunshine.
They cozy up and cuddle with friends. Did somebody say nap time?
They rest in baskets with puppy dog eyes and ask for head scratches.
They pose for photos with residents to make their day picture perfect.
Learn more about pet-friendly senior living.
Westerwood is a welcoming place for all pet owners and animal lovers, which is why we’ve designed our community with everyone in mind. With 23 acres of scenic woods, miles of walking trails and tons of opportunities to be around animals, we know you’ll feel at home.
Ready to learn even more about the benefits of pets for seniors or pursue your next big adventure? Call us at 614-890-8282 to learn more about our pet-friendly community and come see why Westerwood could be the purrfect place for you or a loved one to call home.
