Family Pets – The Unsung Heroes of Caregiving

Embracing Family Pets as Full Members of the Care Team

Author

ieadvocates
February 12, 2026

Working Caregivers-The Invisible Employees Newsletter

Brought to you by ieAdvocates (invisible employee advocates)

Thank you for being here!

February is often associated with love — the love we share with partners, family members, and friends. But there is another kind of love that quietly sustains so many caregiving households: the steady, unconditional companionship of family pets.

For aging loved ones, pets are far more than animals in the home. They provide routine, comfort, purpose, and emotional stability. Research continues to show that companion animals can help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, support cognitive engagement, and even contribute to lower stress levels. Yet despite their powerful impact on emotional and physical well-being, pets are rarely factored into care planning conversations, facility transitions, or respite support decisions.

In this issue, we shine a light on these unsung, furry heroes and the essential role they play in the caregiving ecosystem. Caregiving is never meant to be done alone — and sometimes the most consistent, calming presence in the room has four legs and a wagging tail. This February, as we reflect on the many forms love can take, let’s recognize and embrace our animal companions as true members of the care team.

Table of Contents

In the news:

Latest research, events, and articles that are making an impact for working caregivers and their employers.

Longitudinal relationships between pet ownership and cognitive functioning in later adulthood across pet types and individuals’ ages

It is well documented that age-related cognitive decline is a significant public health concern for the individual, but also an increased burden on the caregiver. The researchers in this paper investigate ways to support cognitive health, in particular, the positive impact pet ownership may have on one’s cognitive health. After analyzing over 18 years of data, it was found people with dogs experienced a slower decline in memory and people with cats experienced a slower decline in verbal fluency.

The power of pets for older adults

This article shares how there are positive effects of pet ownership, especially for older adults. They include:

Did you know? (Read our blog):

Our blog brings you knowledge, personal and researched, to raise your awareness and empathy about working caregivers and caregiving.

Family Pets – Forgotten Members of the Care Team

Introduction

Vivien and her best friend, Sadie, sat on her living room sofa as they settled in for an evening of watching their favorite TV shows. Suddenly, Vivien’s 80-year-old bones felt a chill from the brisk wind that seeped through the window closest to them. Vivien turned to her friend and said softly, “It’s getting cold, Sadie. Be a dear and go bring me my sweater from the bed.” Without hesitation, Sadie got up from the couch and hurried into the bedroom. Within seconds, she returned with Vivien’s sweater. Nothing unusual here, right? Perhaps a bit more impressive when we consider that Sadie is a 5-year-old border collie that Vivien rescued from the local shelter.

The Issues

You may be wondering what this story about an elderly woman and her dog has to do with caregiving. The short answer – a lot. Now let’s look at the long answer. Much more than just companions, for many elderly adults, pets are their lifelines, helping them battle anxiety, loneliness, and physical decline. Research indicates that pet ownership among seniors is clinically significant, as it helps lower blood pressure, reduce depression, and increase physical activity. 

People and Companies In the spotlight:

Our podcast puts a spotlight on guests who are making a significant difference in the working caregiver space.

Episode 34: How Pets May Slow Cognitive Decline: What Caregivers and Employers Need to Know

In this episode, we sit down with two brilliant researchers from Switzerland to explore a topic that instantly resonated with us—the powerful connection between pet ownership, cognitive aging, and caregiving. What started as a conversation about research quickly turned into a deeper discussion about human connection, quality of life, and how everyday relationships—especially with pets—can shape how we age and how we care.

We dig into what the research actually shows (and what it doesn’t), why dogs and cats seem to stand out, and how pets can play a role not just for older adults, but for caregivers and families as well. This episode will absolutely get you thinking differently about pets—not just as companions, but as part of a broader support system for aging, caregiving, and even end-of-life conversations.

Adriana Rostekova is a PhD candidate and a researcher in Lifespan Developmental Psychology at the University of Geneva. Her research examines how social connections relate to cognitive functioning and mental health across the lifespan, with a particular interest in later adulthood. In particular, she takes a broader perspective on the concept of social ties and is especially interested in how animals can be part of our social connections and linked to cognition and mental health. Connect with Dr. Rostekova here on LinkedIn.

Clément Meier, PhD, is a senior researcher in Public Health at the University of Lausanne. His research focuses on end-of-life health literacy, caregiving, and decision-making, particularly among older adults. Clément’s work bridges public health, behavioral science, and palliative care, combining quantitative and qualitative methods to explore how individuals, families, and systems engage with dying, death, and bereavement. He is also a member of the Swiss Young Academy and an editor at the International Journal of Public Health. Through his research and public engagement, Clément seeks to foster more compassionate, equitable, and informed approaches to end-of-life care and planning. Connect with Dr. Meier on LinkedIn.  

Meet Nicole Collins, a real working caregiver:

Nicole Collins

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“I did have a very supportive boss. My boss at the time, the CEO of my former organization, was a cancer survivor. So, as soon as I told him, he gave me as much time as I needed to do whatever I needed to do. However, although he was supportive, there was a corporate culture that most organizations have of overwork, of burnout. Because I'm a woman, an executive woman, I had this sort of corporate adage in the back of my mind that women can't be executives or leaders, and a caregiver. You have to pick one or the other, because you can't do both. And this is one of the reasons why a lot of people think that women cannot be leaders. And I'm speaking very generally here, of course. Not everybody thinks like this…”

Nicole Collins is a certified grief coach who supports people as they move through loss, transition, and the disorientation that follows when life no longer looks the way it once did. Her own experience with profound loss — including the death of her partner, dog, and mother, all while continuing to lead and function professionally — taught Nicole that grief isn’t something to fix or bypass, but something that needs space, steadiness, and care. Her work is grounded, non-prescriptive, and paced to the individual. She brings a calm, honest, and compassionate presence to coaching. Learn more about her on her website https://www.nicole-collins.com.

Nicole is certified by the Institute of Professional Grief Coaching (IOPGC), a certified sound healer through Solshine Wellness, and holds a certification in trauma-informed leadership from the University of North Florida. Before becoming a grief coach, Nicole spent years as a senior People & Culture leader guiding teams through change, layoffs, reorgs, and the very human messiness that shows up inside organizations. She offers one-on-one coaching remotely or in-person in Salem, MA. Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn.

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“… I was really working two full-time 24/7 roles at the same time. It took a toll…I was overly emotional at work. I had to excuse myself from a lot of calls like this on Zoom, because I just would feel myself getting so drained energy-wise, that I was going to start crying in a meeting. That fed into my shame around trying to be a woman executive and a caregiver. It was just this really difficult cycle that I got into of overwork, trying to pretend like I wasn't overworking, so that was a major impact. And I will say, though, on the positive, after I was able to recover a little bit from the burnout, I started focusing on all of the caregivers in our organization… it gave me a perspective… that many people are caring for someone, and that… my example was extreme. ”

Recommended media content:

We explore and share with you diverse media illuminating the dynamics and narratives within the care economy - from insightful podcasts to thought-provoking books and engaging videos.

PODCASTS

On Health with Houstong Methodist Podcast: The Surprising Ways Pets Benefit Our Health 2/7/23. We let them into our hearts, our homes, even our bedrooms. Yes, we adore our pets, a love affair that goes back tens of thousands of years, even if it began because these domesticated animals served a specific purpose, such as protection or pest control. Most pets today play less functional roles. Or do they? In today's episode, we learn how pets aren't just our trusted companions. They're also partners in good health.

 BOOKS

The Healing Power of Pets: Harnessing the Amazing Ability of Pets to Make and Keep People Happy and Healthy – February 19, 2003 by Marty Becker and Dan Morton  Pets and people have been living together for thousands of years, but as pets have moved indoors, there have been extraordinary changes in the relationship. In the last twenty years, medical research has increasingly proven the healing effect pets can have for the ill, the elderly, the stressed-out, and the emotionally disengaged. Research shows that people with pet companions have fewer doctor visits and recover more quickly from severe illnesses. In The Healing Power of Pets, Dr. Marty Becker, resident vet on ABC-TV's Good Morning America, shows readers how pets can prevent, detect, treat, and in some cases cure a variety of maladies, from arthritis to asthma, and from Alzheimer's to depression. Pets decrease cardiovascular risk factors, motivate their sedentary owners to exercise, and help people deal with chronic pain. In addition, the book offers heart-warming true stories of pets who have enriched--even saved--their owner's lives to reveal the lasting physical, emotional, and social benefits of the human-animal bond.

VIDEOS:

Are Pets Beneficial For Someone With Dementia? by Dementia Careblazers “Hey Careblazers! Ever wondered if your loved one with dementia can have a pet? 🐶🐱 In today's video, I dive into this heartwarming topic, inspired by my dad's secret wish for a Jack Russell Terrier. I'll share my personal journey with pets, the pros and cons of introducing a pet into your loved one's life, and the most crucial factor to consider before making this decision. Tune in to find out if pets and dementia can be a match made in heaven!”

With gratitude, we share a book review:

We want to thank Jay Morris  who took the time to read our book and provide a thoughtful ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐review!

Selma and Zack have written a great book. Working Caregivers is not just about the Caregiver, it is about all of us who are impacted by the challenges of aging parents, and the burdens that many carry quietly and alone. This book provides great and practical resources that could impact not only families, but organizations. I would highly recommend that all Chief Human Resource Officers, Chief Medical Officers, and Chief Executive Officers in the best places to work, read this book.

Working Caregivers is engaging, enlightening, and informative. I could feel the pain and frustration of Carrie and Mel as they navigated the lonely road of caring for parents, while trying to live their personal and professional lives. This is a great, well written book!! Buy it and read it, even if you don't have aging parents, especially if you are a leader in a business or corporation. One day you will also be a senior citizen, whether you want to or not. Jay Morris, PhD, JD

Order your copy of Working Caregivers-The Invisible Employees book here. If you want to order a quantity of books for your leadership team and employees, contact us directly about discount pricing.

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