Grant: Operating Grant: College and Community Innovation Social Innovation Fund

<html> <head> </head> <body> As Canada&#8217;s population ages, the number of people living with dementia continues to rise, placing growing pressure on long-term care (LTC) homes to support residents experiencing complex behavioural and psychological symptoms, such as agitation, anxiety, and social withdrawal. Although non-pharmacological approaches are recommended in national dementia guidelines, staff often lack the structured training and practical tools required to implement them effectively. &#8220;Fins, Feathers, and Fur&#8221; is a three-year applied research project led by Niagara College&#8217;s (NC) Healthy Aging and Wellness Innovation Centre in partnership with Niagara Region Senior Services, which operates seven LTC homes serving more than 850 residents. Building on four previous phases of exploratory research, this project will refine, expand, and evaluate structured training programs and practical toolkits to support the therapeutic use of robotic animals in dementia care. Robotic animals such as seals, birds, cats, and dogs have been shown to reduce distress, increase social interaction, and enhance quality of life for people living with dementia. However, their effectiveness depends on skilled facilitation. Barriers, including device cost, infection-control considerations, and limited staff training, restrict consistent use in practice. This project addresses these gaps by translating research evidence into accessible, scalable resources for LTC homes. Over three years, the research team will refine existing training for robotic seals and birds; develop and pilot new resources for robotic cats and dogs; conduct a sector-wide needs assessment exploring interest in a lower-cost robotic option; and implement a sustainable train-the-trainer model that embeds expertise within partner homes. Approximately 100 Recreation Therapy students will participate in hands-on training and applied research activities, strengthening workforce capacity in dementia care. By building staff confidence and organizational capacity, &#8220;Fins, Feathers, and Fur&#8221; will enhance quality of life for residents and advance person-centered, evidence-informed dementia care across Ontario and beyond. </body> </html>