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Tinsley, a 3-year-old, three-legged American White Eskimo who was thrown out of a car when she was a puppy has been rescued by a New Rochelle resident, and the dog now visits elderly members of the community suffering from dementia.
Each month, Tinsley and her owner, Stephanie Borstaph - who are a Good Dog Foundation certified pet therapy team - visit the elderly at United Hebrew in New Rochelle in an effort to “bring comfort, ease anxiety, and lift the spirits of the residents, some of whom are otherwise non-responsive to other social interventions.”
According to officials, animal-assisted therapy has been shown in studies to improve the overall mental health of seniors with dementia.
“We design our therapeutic activities to help our residents engage in positive behaviors and connect to the world around them,” Elaine Healy, United Hebrew’s vice president of medical affairs said. “They move more. They smile more. And families who participate are delighted to have a way to connect with their loved one.”
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