A golden opportunity: Sophie’s infectious energy at Elginwood
When Sophie, a Golden Retriever working with St. John Ambulance’s Therapy Dog Program, walks through the doors at Extendicare Elginwood in Richmond Hill, Ontario, there is a sense of excitement as word spreads throughout the home that a favourite four-legged visitor has arrived.
We sat with one resident whose face lit up as Sophie approached him. He reached down and Sophie put her head in his hand, offering immediate connection and comfort.
“It’s amazing. Many residents have these instant reactions, beckoning at Sophie to come closer,” says Leigh-Ann, Recreation Manager at Elginwood. “Having regular pet therapy visits in the home gives the seniors something to look forward to each week.”
Animals have a remarkable ability to evoke positive memories and associations in dementia patients through multisensory stimulation and emotional connection. For many people living with dementia, long-term memories remain accessible even as short-term memory fades. The sensory cues provided by a therapy dog, such as the feel of its fur or the warmth of its body, can activate deeply ingrained memories.
“We’ve found that seniors with dementia may not remember that the pet visits them each week, but they do remember the animal when they see them, and it makes their day better,” adds Leigh-Ann.

As Sophie visited with one resident in the dining room, her owner or handler, explained that there is a small group of Portuguese- speaking residents at Elginwood who especially delight in Sophie’s visits because her handler is fluent in Portuguese. The pet therapy visits offer them a chance to not only interact with the gentle golden retriever but also to speak Portuguese. Speaking to Sophie’s handler, one resident reminisced of childhood memories of having a dog at home. These moments of connection and memory recall are deeply meaningful for residents, especially those with dementia.
“When Sophie leaves, the good feelings from seeing her remain. Residents are happy and calm for hours afterward,” Leigh-Ann explains.
The therapeutic effects extend beyond Sophie’s immediate presence, contributing to better sleep, reduced anxiety, and improved mood.
Even those who are not “animal people” can’t help but smile as Sophie shows off her tricks. Leigh-Ann notes, “It gives them something to talk about with other residents, their families, and the care team.”