SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - Taking care of animals can give pet owners comfort, and a sense of purpose and a local organization is helping seniors experience the joys of pet ownership.

Seniors at the Sunrise Retirement Community have received new life-like companion animals as a donation from the Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter.

The robotic pets are used in pet therapy for memory care patients, which Samantha Roth, the Sunrise Retirement Community CEO, says makes a big difference.

“Pet therapy is so important,” said Roth. “The pets are helpful for emotional stability. They’re helpful for happiness, they’re helpful for companionship. A lot of things people use pets for at home, we’re able to mimic with our seniors that have Alzheimer’s or dementia through these robotic pets.”

Many memory c

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