MORRIS COUNTY, NJ – The Morris County Sheriff’s Office has received a donation of twenty robotic companion pets through the Morris County Aging, Disabilities & Community Program.
These innovative pets, acquired using funds from the Aging American Rescue Plan, will be delivered to qualifying clients enrolled in the Sheriff’s Office Project Lifesaver program.
According to Ageless Innovations, the company behind the “Joy for All” companion pets, these inanimate replicas are designed to alleviate issues such as social isolation, loneliness, and cognitive decline. Their use has been supported by rigorous, peer-reviewed studies demonstrating their effectiveness in improving the quality of life for individuals unable to care for live animals.
Sheriff James M. Gannon was present during the delivery of one of the companion pets to a Project Lifesaver client. He expressed his commitment to providing comfort to those in need, stating, “Anytime the Sheriff’s Office can provide comfort to those in need, we are going to do it. This simple act of support provides aid to those who are homebound. We are looking forward to seeing the tremendous benefits of this program being passed on to this sometimes forgotten population in our community.”
Recipients of the robotic pets were selected based on officer recommendations and caregiver approval, with criteria including being at least 60-years-old, homebound, and suffering from dementia or similar cognitive conditions.
The Morris County Sheriff’s Office Project Lifesaver is a free program for Morris County residents. More information, including details on how to enroll a loved one, can be found on the Morris County Sheriff’s Office website or by contacting Community Outreach and Planning at 973-285-6681.
