About ElderDog
Who We Are
ElderDog Canada Inc. is a national, community-based, non-profit organization established and incorporated under federal regulations in 2009 and registered as a Charitable Organization in 2016.
ElderDog is governed by a Board of Directors, regulated by by-laws, and run by member volunteers. Our work is dedicated to the well-being of older people and older dogs. We rely on donations and fundraising to carry out our work. There are no fees for any of our services.
Vision, Mission, Goals, Values
Vision
Our vision is to become a volunteer-driven
organization known across Canada
for making a difference in the lives of
older people and older dogs by
contributing to the support of and
knowledge about the senior-canine
relationship.
Mission
Our mission is to honour and preserve the animal-human bond through care, companionship, research, and education.
Goals
ElderDog’s goals are to:
- assist and support older adults in the care and well-being of their canine companions
- provide care and companionship for older dogs whose lives have been disrupted due to illness or death of a human companion
- educate health and animal care professionals and the general public of all ages about the human-animal bond in general and the significant role of companion animals in the health and well-being of seniors in particular
- support and conduct research into the human-animal bond with a focus on seniors and canine companionship
Values
The following principles reflect the values of ElderDog and guide all programs, activities, and practices in the service of our vision. This is our credo.
Dignity
We believe that people and animals, regardless of circumstance, health, and age, are worthy of respect and deserve to be treated in a way that honours them as valued individuals.
Respect
We are committed to providing care to animals and support for animal-human companionship based on a person/dog-centred ethic of care.
Health & Wellbeing
We believe that health and well-being is enhanced by ongoing attention to appropriate nutrition, exercise, love, and companionship. At ElderDog we strive to provide a healthy, balanced life for dogs in our care and to support healthy aging of older adults through the preservation of their relationships with their canine companions.
Comfort
We are committed to a standard of care for dogs in later life that is responsive to individual physical and emotional needs. Our efforts to keep seniors and their canine companions together is based on our knowledge of the many ways that dogs bring comfort to seniors’ lives.
Quality of Life
Mindful of the many physical, emotional, and social benefits of companion animals for older adults, we strive to make it possible for older adults and their canine companions to live together as long as is reasonable in healthy, mutually beneficial relationships.
Tribute
We acknowledge the invaluable role that dogs play in humans’ lives and how deeply they are missed when they pass on. We endeavour to appropriately commemorate elder dogs in our care and honour the animal-human bond in general.
Integrity
We are committed to operating with honesty, respect, care, and compassion and a deep regard for a principled process in all aspects of the ElderDog organization.
Sustainability
Sustainability in all aspects of the ElderDog organization is paramount and is both an individual and organizational leadership responsibility. We are dedicated to developing sustainable programs and activities in the service of our vision. This includes transportation, use of products and resources, and financial responsibility.