The benefits of pets for people who are isolated (with the elderly often falling into this category) have been lauded. And scientists have shown over the years, how owning a pet can result in lowered blood pressure, cholesterol levels and more. But one of the biggest obstacles to the elderly getting a pet is taking care of it, especially if it is a dog and needs to be walked.
With that obstacle in mind, Habro’s Joy for All brand recently launched a new life-like robotic dog. They already made a companion pet cat a year ago which engages in “familiar, cat-like actions,” makes kitty noises and has sensors that respond to touch. For example, if you pet its cheek, it will nuzzle your hand and petting the back of its head results in it purring or rolling over for a belly rub. It “sleeps” when the user is not interacting with it and “wakes up” to touch. Now the companion pet pup has been created as well – for those who prefer “dogs” has been designed to bring comfort and friendship to aging adults.
In addition, these pets offer very practical solutions for those with allergies or in a nursing home who simply cannot own a real life pet. Indeed, one of them – Paro – (a cuddly seal robot created by the National institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology in Japan), has been used as an interactive therapeutic tool in hospitals and senior living facilities throughout America. To reap the benefits of taking care of a pet and not have the potential challenges, this could be just the solution.
