Research Beagle Retires with Love and Purpose at Victory Centre of Vernon Hills
After spending four years in a research laboratory, Harvey, the 4-year-old beagle, has retired to a life of leisure and continued purpose at Victory Centre of Vernon Hills.
Since a pup, Harvey has dedicated his life to helping humans, first by participating in medical research and now by bringing joy and comfort to the older adults he lives with at the independent and supportive living community located at 97 W. Phillip Road, Vernon Hills, IL.
In this win-win situation, Harvey is free at last to enjoy "a dog's life" in a loving environment, while his owners experience the benefits of pet ownership, including feelings of increased happiness and decreased depression, opportunities for relaxing touch and contact and motivation to get moving with playtime and walks.
"While Victory Centre of Vernon Hills is already very homelike, having a community dog adds another layer of warmth and coziness," says Community Life Manager Jennifer Brunkow, who hand-picked Harvey for his good disposition and fostered him at her home to ease the transition to community life. "Having lived in a laboratory for four years, Harvey was like a puppy. He needed to be potty-trained and learn good manners."
Harvey is not the first older dog to have "retired" in comfort at Victory Centre of Vernon Hills thanks to the See Spot Retire program, which offers dogs like Harvey new chances at life with residents, who share the rewards and responsibilities of pet ownership.
When adopting shelter dogs, many people often overlook the older pooches in favor of puppies. Not so for Victory Centre residents, who find that older, more mature dogs are truly a better fit for their retirement lifestyle.
While Harvey requires some training, he has all the qualities that make him a good match. Harvey is friendly, laid back, not aggressive, doesn't bark or jump, adorable and he isn't motivated by food. This last quality is a big deal, because getting a community dog to stop begging for food scraps among 50 or more diners each meal can be a big challenge. Part of the See Spot Retire program's and Harvey's training is learning to stay outside the dining room.
"Harvey just puts a smile on everyone's face," Brunkow says. Residents and team members love having him around and soon, if training goes well, residents will be taking Harvey for outdoor walks around the community.
About Castaway Pet Rescue
Harvey came from Castaway Pet Rescue, which partners with a facility that utilizes beagles for research purposes. When the beagles are no longer needed for research studies, they are retired and released to Castaway Pet Rescue to find permanent homes. For more information, visit www.castawaypetrescue.org.
About Victory Centre of Vernon Hills
Owned and operated by Pathway to Living, Victory Centre offers Independent and Supportive Living apartments. Our Supportive Living Community features call systems, three meals a day, support services as needed, award winning programming, outings and other social opportunities at an affordable monthly rate. Amenities include a community dining room that opens to an outdoor patio, living room, library, community room, therapy center, outdoor courtyard with a gazebo and a walking path to the local library. For more information, please call 847-549-6070 or visit www.pathwaytoliving.com.