Baking dog treats helps connect Victoria seniors with memory loss to the community

Composite image: Victoria seniors bake dog treats (right) for pets awaiting adoption through the B.C. SPCA (left).

On Wednesday at the Amica Jubilee House in Victoria, five couples were busy rolling out dough for a very special baking project. It was the beginning of an experience that some of the participants may struggle to remember.

Gwendolyn De Geest is the program director of Memory Connections. It’s a small non-profit that offers programs for those who are experiencing memory loss.

“They come with their care partner,” said De Geest. “It’s all about living in the moment, enjoying the moment and who doesn’t feel good when they are giving something back.”

The goal of the program is to connect those participants with old tasks like baking or music in the hopes that the activity will bring back a few memories. The treats the group were baking wasn’t for themselves but dogs waiting for forever homes.

Dozens of dog snacks in all shapes and sizes were being cut in partnership with the local K9 cookie company Sparky Dog Snacks.

Rita Findlay is the head baker and owner of the cookie company. She says the activity is a perfect fit for seniors that are suffering from memory loss.

“Dogs always bring smiles to people’s faces and they show us that they have the courage to just adapt to whatever situation they have,” said Findlay.

Much like the folks who were rolling out the dough who have learned to never take a single moment for granted.

The cookies final destination was the Victoria Branch of BC SPCA, where Jes Alder is the senior officer of community giving.

“A lot of us who have had pets in our lives know that the human animal bond is a really meaningful and powerful part of our world,” said Alder.

While the group delivers the cookies to the shelter they also spend time with the dogs, showering them with the fruits of their labour.

“This is a really great way for them to relive some of the love that they have had for their pets in the past,” said Alder.

She added that it’s not just the cookie creators who are benefiting from the experience, it is also a great way for the dogs to have some socialization time.