About the dogs…

All of the dogs that we place are rescued from animal shelters or adopted from dog rescue groups. We are looking for dogs aged 5-8 years old that are friendly, confident and mellow.  Most of the dogs that sit in shelters in this age range likely had an owner pass away or family that moved and could not take the dog.

We look for dogs that match the needs of the applicants on our wait list.  Most of the dogs  we encounter in the shelters are mixes of 2 or more breeds and medium in size. They often attach themselves to one person and, like all other re-homed dogs, may test their new guardians to see if the rules of the house can be altered!  

Like all dogs, there is an adjustment time.  It can take 2-6 months for a shelter dog to become fully acclimated to new surroundings and a routine. They will likely make mistakes and need extra supervision until they are settled in. 

About the applicants… 

We invite staff and residents of assisted living homes to apply for one of our senior dogs.  There is tremendous therapeutic value in having a dog become a member of a home where there is a desire for companionship. Conversely, our dogs, once homeless, have the benefit  of being loved and taken care of into their golden years.  

Assisted Living Homes: 

The Senior Assisted Living Home is responsible for the financial, physical and emotional well being of a Senior Dog.  The role of the Assisted Living Home with the assistance of The Sam Simon Foundation is to help the guardian be successful with maintaining a routine for the dog and ensuring that the dog is able to integrate safely with other residents. The Sam Simon Foundation will be available ongoing to help with any behavioral or social problems. 

The dogs will need care that involves maintaining a regular routine of walks, grooming, feeding, and many potty breaks.  This can be accomplished by 1-3 consistent guardians that will be  with a dog for most of a 24 hour period.

We ask one guardian to be responsible for ensuring that a consistent routine is maintained by signing our guardian agreement. The Sam Simon Foundation is dedicated to helping create a successful partnership by providing an initial orientation with staff and guardians and then providing ongoing support. 

Guardians: 

Guardians are selected based on their willingness and ability to incorporate a dog into their everyday routine and among residents.  They can be residents living in the home and sharing their apartment at night with the Senior Dog or a staff member that takes home the Senior Dog at the end of a work shift and on days off.  The responsibility of the Senior Dog’s routine can be shared among several residents or staff but ultimately, one person needs to be responsible for making sure that the dog is cared for everyday and night.   

To be considered for full time guardianship of a Senior Dog a person will be responsible for ensuring a daily routine of care that involves maintaining a regular routine of walks, grooming, feeding, and many potty breaks. 

About the application process… 

Assisted Living Homes: 

Upon receiving a written or verbal request for a dog, we will send a two part application: One  part is to be filled out by the Executive Director of the assisted living home and the second   part by the main guardian (resident) of the dog.  The application gives us an opportunity to   learn the needs and expectations of the guardian and assisted living home. 

Once we receive an application, we will set up a time to meet with the Executive Director,    staff and potential guardian(s). Our approval of an application will depend on the following variables:

• The ability to provide a safe, enclosed area for “relief” breaks.
• The location of the assisted living home to highly busy roads.
• The desire of residents to have a dog in the home.
• The ability and desire to provide a consistent routine for a dog with 1-3 staff/resident members.
• The time to address unwanted behaviors and medical problems as they arise.
• The needs of the home are greater than the type of dog we can place in a reasonable amount of time (under 6 months).

Thank you for your interest in the Senior Dog Program of The Sam Simon Foundation.  Any additional questions can be addressed by calling us at (310) 457-5898 or by email.