Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust Grant - Arizona Senior Pet Resources

Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust Grant - Arizona Senior Pet Resources

Funder: Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust

Award Amount: $75,000

Geographic Scope: Maricopa County, Arizona

Focus Areas:

Support for older adults and their pets

Health benefits research

Gap analysis for pet services in senior housing

Policy development and funding expansion

Program Purpose:
Provide direct services to low-income, vulnerable older adults and their pets in Maricopa County, including residents of Foundation for Senior Living (FSL) housing programs.

Impact and Health Benefits

In Arizona, over 50% of older adults have at least one pet. Research indicates that pet companionship provides seniors with:
• Physical health benefits
• Social and emotional health benefits
• Reduced rates of social isolation
• Reduced loneliness
• Lower obesity rates
• Slower progression of memory issues related to dementia and Alzheimer's
• Lower rates of heart-related diseases
• Reduced complications from diabetes

Grant Components

Direct Services:

Compassionate care for 200 seniors and their pets

Partnership with Foundation for Senior Living (FSL)

Research Component:

Gap analysis to understand how furry family members impact the lives of residents in FSL's affordable housing program

Data collection to identify services that foster seniors to live healthier, happier, and self-determined lives

Research to potentially change policies, create more funding, and expand resources to help more seniors in the future

Contact Information:

The Arizona Pet Project

Phone: (602) 882-8627

Email: info@azpetproject.org

Address: 3905 N 7th Avenue #7611, Phoenix, AZ 85011