Why Pet Friendly Senior Living Works for Arlington Seniors

Studies on individuals who spend their lives with animal companions continue to reveal a range of pet ownership benefits, with researchers discovering that those who have a pet experience a significantly slower rate of cognitive decline in their later years. We understand this, and we encourage those who stay with us to express a wish to have a pet with them.

Pet-friendly senior living is a key goal for us at Arlington Plaza Senior Living, as it offers a range of benefits. Read on to discover some of what these entail and how senior living in Arlington, TX, is enhanced by the companionship they bring.

Why Arlington Senior Communities Welcomes Pets

Pets are a powerful force in anyone's life. However, it is essential to remember that for any senior who has recently moved into an Independent living situation with supportive services, companionship, and a familiar presence can mean even more.

Additionally, it's not just about the physical presence of the pet. At the same time, the familiar routines that a pet brings can help immensely in giving someone who has recently retired or now has more time on their hands a sense of renewed purpose. For example, every day a pet might need:

• Feeding
• Brushing
• Cleaning
• Walking
• Enrichment

These are only a small selection of the needs of another living being, and for many residents transitioning from single-family homes, a pet can provide a means to create a life for themselves.

At the same time, pets are a key way by which many people make a space feel like "theirs". The companionship, socialization, and training of a pet give a loved one the sense that they understand and know their pet's personality, while naming it can emphasize it as "theirs", providing a key way for them to create agency in their own lives.

For example, a recent study by Gschwandtner et al. (2025) found that pets hugely increase the simple satisfaction and well-being one can see in one's own life. When asked to put a monetary value on it, they found that people would rate the pet's existence in their life as being worth, on average, approximately $95,000. Not to mention the vast array of unconscious reminders for a senior that there is a companion in their life, such as:

• Sounds of the pet
• Familiar smells
• Seeing reminders of the pet
• Physical contact

How Aging With Pets Around Is Inherently Rewarding

It's not only watching and experiencing one's pet in their home that can be beneficial to residents, but also the full range of emotions that come with having a pet, regardless of its location, can give people an improved outlook on life. Even something as simple as laughter triggered by a cat's playful antics can boost dopamine, awakening a new joy in a loved one's life.

Similarly, the physical demands of looking after a pet can give a person a better chance of being healthier. The National Council on Aging even pointed out recently that around 15% more dog owners than non-dog owners met the criteria for getting enough physical activity each day. Scaled up to the pet's entire life, that's a significant amount of time spent active, not sedentary.

A loved one can also combine care for their pet with a complete and fulfilling social life, thanks to the range of activities available at our Arlington community. At the same time, grooming rituals, such as brushing a pet's hair, can offer a calming experience and even promote mindfulness in many cases, especially if a loved one chooses a calm pet to groom.

Pet-Friendly Senior Living Encouraging Healthier Life

Arlington Plaza features a large courtyard and grounds surrounding our dog-friendly apartments, complete with a looping path that residents can use daily to walk their pets.

With residents who can travel further, the local Bowman Springs Park offers alternative options for walking a beloved pet. Traveling there and back with a friend can also provide further opportunities for socialization. Traveling around the area also allows residents to participate in activities such as bird-watching or other outdoor pursuits.

Then, whether during a later chef-prepared meal or during a stroll around the senior living community, you can enjoy the shared experience of discussing and caring for your pets.

If a loved one prefers to stay within the grounds of our community, then they always have the option to enjoy the flower beds or sit contemplatively on one of our many benches while their pet explores around them.

Benefits of Supportive Senior Living

The staff within our community will also be able to assist with caring for the pet in various ways. For example, our weekly housekeeping service can offer significant help in keeping a home free from pet hair and dander, creating a much more comfortable space without requiring residents to exert themselves too much.

If someone needs pet supplies, our concierge desk service will also be on hand to accept any packages that arrive at the community. As such, your loved one will not be without pet food or litter, helping them care for their pet without the stress of waiting for sorely-needed deliveries. Then, when the package appears, we can inform them and help get the supplies to their room if they are too heavy.

Pet-Positive Policies

Before a loved one moves in, ensure that they have taken all the necessary steps to ensure the pet they plan to bring is ready. These include checking:

• Vaccination records
• Pet licenses
• Inspections
• Pet deposit payments
• Licenses for emotional support animals

For information on the full range of requirements for a new pet to be welcomed into our community, make sure to get in contact with our staff. We should be able to provide you with a clear set of instructions to help the process go as smoothly as possible and avoid any disappointment while performing the necessary due diligence to ensure residents' comfort.

Leverage the Joy of a Four-Legged Friend

Arlington Plaza takes every step possible to ensure that we create a pet-friendly senior living environment. Alongside several on-site support services, we help make every day an opportunity for enrichment.

If you would like to learn more about our pet policies or schedule a tour of our community, contact our team. Find a community for a loved one that meets their requirements for companionship today.