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  • Approved for CNN

    • Click to view AmandaConde's profile
    Posted February 25, 2013 by
    AmandaConde
    Location
    Bend, Oregon
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    Assignment
    Assignment
    This iReport is part of an assignment:
    Photo essays: Your stories in pictures

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    Seniors and Companion Dogs

    By AmandaConde  |  Posted February 25, 2013  |  Bend, Oregon
     

    CNN PRODUCER NOTE     AmandaConde, a portrait photographer in Bend, Oregon, shot these photos of women with their dogs as part of a personal project, Life in Images -- profiles of people, animals and businesses in her local community with interesting stories. She encouraged her mother, Carolyn Nichols (shown in frame #1), to adopt a dog a couple years ago. Through her terrier, Riva, Carolyn met and bonded with other women in the building and their dogs.

    Conde wrote on her blog: 'These little dogs provide such good company to their owners, who are mostly women living alone. Some of the dogs are quite old and have aged along with their owners, and a few of the women were brave enough to start over with a puppy after being pet-free for many years. The dogs not only provide companionship, but lots of entertainment and inspiration to get out and exercise on dog-walks.'

    Here are a few of those special dogs and the women they live with.
    - dsashin, CNN iReport producer

    Dogs provide companionship, love, entertainment, and a sense of purpose for seniors. The bond between pets and seniors battles one of the most common ailments of older persons...loneliness. I interviewed and photographed single older women who all live in the same 55+ apartment facility, along with their companion dogs. All the women commented on how they treasured their pet and the companionship they provide. Many also said they exercised more and lost weight from the dog walking required of them. It's a win-win for both the dog and owner.

     

     

    Women pictured:

     

    1.  Carolyn Nichols, 76, with Riva.

    2.  Mary Quinonez, 79, with Teddy.

    3.  Margie George, 88, with Mitzi

    4.  Roseanne Visco with Guiseppe

    5.  Jackie Gerritsen, with Cutie Pie and Gracie

    6.  Shirley Abbott, 78, with Molly

    7.  Vi Gibson, 82, with Tina.

    8. Lori Whitaker with Fozzie Bear and Jack Rabbit.

    9. Michelle Buch with Rue.

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