South Hill Senior Living administrator Leslie Bass says coming to work can sometimes remind her a little of Noah’s ark. 

“While we’re not the only pet-friendly facility in town, we’re probably the only one I know of that has quite so many pets on-site,” says Bass. 

The website aplaceformom.com, which assists users in searching for retirement homes, lists 30 retirement facilities in greater Spokane-Coeur d’Alene area as pet-friendly. Information the Journal gathered for a listing of largest area retirement homes here shows nine of 49 facilities that specify they are pet-friendly. South Hill Senior Living is one of them. 

Located at 707 W. Fifth, the facility has been open since 2011 and offers both assisted-living and independent-living apartments. Bass estimates that about a third of the building’s 81 residents have some kind of pet.

“I would say we have about 10 dogs, somewhere between 15 and 20 cats, two birds, and a couple of fish,” she says.

Bass is a registered nurse, specializing in mental health. She says South Hill Senior Living accepts seniors who are 55 or older, the average age being somewhere in the mid-70s, with many residents having physical or cognitive disabilities. 

Bass, who has worked at the South Hill facility for about a year, says, “This is the first building I’ve worked in where the pet policy is so proactive. The owner is a pet lover himself, and we have several nurses on staff that have pets. You really have to be a pet person to understand it.” 

Bass admits that being a pet-friendly facility isn’t without problems, some of which start right at the beginning. 

“We require three main things of residents who wish to have an animal,” says Bass. “Dogs must be under 20 pounds. Animals must be kept up to date on vaccinations, and the resident must sign a pet contract detailing responsibility for the animal.” 

Some residents agree to the contract, only to find later they are unable to care for their pet due to declining health or extended hospital stays. Bass makes it clear that while South Hill Senior Living’s caregivers love animals, staff is there to care for the residents, not their pets. 

“It is the responsibility of the pet’s owner to care for the animal. If they can’t, other arrangements have to be made,” she says.  

Family or other residents might care for a pet temporarily. 

“Some families are good about it, stopping in to care for a pet or taking them in and bringing them back for visits,” says Bass. “Unfortunately, we do get those who make promises and don’t follow through. In those cases, we usually try our best to find staff or someone else to adopt the pet.”

The facility maintains strict records of all pets on-site, as the Washington state Department of Health and Social Services keeps a close watch on whether animals are healthy and not a danger to residents. 

“The elderly have delicate skin, which some pets can scratch accidentally,” Bass says. “We have to be on the lookout for things like that.” 

Another problem for resident pet owners is being able to afford food or other pet supplies. Bass estimates that 99 percent of the facility’s residents receive Medicaid, which generally covers the cost of a studio apartment, with not much left over.

“Owning a pet can be expensive,” says Bass. “Sooner or later, especially when you’re dealing with elderly and disabled people, they may start to neglect their needs in favor of their animal, or vice versa.”

South Hill Senior Living doesn’t require residents to pay an extra deposit for having a pet, although Bass says the facility could probably charge one for residents of the independent-living apartments. 

“There is sometimes a concern of damage to property with pets living in the apartments,” says Bass. 

The facility does offer a small grass area outside for dogs, and those without pets are always welcome to hold Bass’ newest puppy, a mini-dachshund named Meri, whom Bass is training to become a therapy dog. 

“She’s quiet and loves to be held,” says Bass. “Some pets don’t have the right temperament for therapy. They’re loud, easily excitable; sometimes they dislike people or other animals in the building.” 

Fairwood Retirement Village is another of Spokane’s senior living facilities that markets itself as being pet friendly. Fairwood’s director of marketing, Debra Rubens, says the facility fields quite a few inquiries from seniors who are interested in bringing their pets along in their retirement. 

“Particularly those who have pets already and don’t want to leave them behind, express interest in how our pet policy works,” says Rubens.

Rubens says that while some have said the search for pet-friendly retirement homes can be frustrating, she has noticed many communities are starting to accommodate the need.

“I think they’re recognizing how beneficial it is for residents to have pets in the home or some kind of program where they interact with an animal,” Rubens says. 

Located north of Spokane at 312 W. Hastings, Fairwood has both assisted-living and independent-living apartments available. Of the facility’s 250 total residents, Rubens estimates about 20 percent of them have pets. 

“We do have a policy with rules that residents are required to read and abide by,” says Rubens. Fairwood charges a $500 nonrefundable pet fee to owners in assisted living. 

Rubens says that Fairwood’s policy stipulates residents are responsible for their pets’ care and clean up and that they have an emergency contact designated. 

“We do offer resources for dog walking and things like that,” she says.  

“The residents really enjoy it. We’ve found that overall, having pets is a very helpful and positive experience for seniors,” says Rubens.

Bass agrees that pets provide beneficial therapy for residents, saying her own experiences as well as several scientific studies have shown contact with animals can lower blood pressure and reduce feelings of depression.

“It gives residents who often feel like they’re losing a lot of life’s everyday connections something to focus on,” she says. 

Those residents who have pets, such as three-year South Hill Senior Living resident Rosemary Gilder, say they don’t know what they’d do without their companion. 

“I wouldn’t live anywhere without her,” Gilder says of her pug puppy, Lexie. “She’s been a lifeline not just for me but for many other residents who have the chance to see her and play with her.” 

Another South Hill Senior Living resident, Judy Caessens, says her Maltese-poodle mix, Teddy, helps her battle depression.

“Some days I don’t feel like going out, but I have to because Teddy needs to,” Caessens says. “He’s my pride and joy; people often greet him before they remember to say hello to me.” 

Bass says whether to allow pets is a tough decision for some retirement facilities.

 “There is a lot of therapy and good things that result from allowing companion animals, but it’s definitely not easy,” says Bass. “Many retirement homes just don’t want the hassle.”