The Eden Alternative philosophy of care means trying to help care home residents live their best lives. That’s why Saskatoon’s Sherbrooke Community Centre is home to many animals and has a daycare and Grade 6 students from Saskatoon Public Schools iGen program.

Communications Leader at Sherbrooke, Eric Anderson, says the idea is to lessen the loneliness, helplessness and boredom for residents. Anderson spoke at a Saskatchewan SPCA conference on the human-animal bond and explained that the animals help to provide meaningful relationships.

He gives the example of a woman with dementia who was part of the process of adopting two cats, and when one of them sat on her lap and began to purr, even though she couldn’t speak her emotions were apparent with her wide smile. Sherbrooke has cats, a rescue dog which belongs to one of the residents, guinea pigs, birds and fish, and Anderson says staff are encouraged to bring their pets to work with them.

Anderson says having pets around helps make Sherbrooke a home. The animals give and receive love which benefits the human spirit.