Office dog Stetson brings happiness to senior center

Corie Robinson goes to work as director of the Oglethorpe County Senior Center every day, but she’s never alone. Whether Robinson is playing bingo or typing at her desk, a 10-month-old miniature dachshund named Stetson is near.

Stetson, who is named after former University of Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett, is one of Robinson’s four dogs. She began bringing him to the center when he was 8 weeks old to interact with seniors. 

Now, he’s the center’s office dog and mascot. 

“There’s a lot of our seniors who are isolated, and this is just one of the ways that we are trying to combat that isolation and loneliness,” Robinson said. “Stetson just became a way that everyone has that happiness in their life.”

A study published in BMC Geriatrics shows older adults who engage with animals had positive effects on their health and well-being. Robinson also said many of the center’s clients are unable to have pets at home. 

“It’s just a small way to make our seniors smile and just have a sense of purpose,” Robinson said. “A lot of them had to let go of their pets just due to their health or financial reasons. So we bring them here and take care of them, and they get to play.”

The first thing Stetson does at work is eat breakfast in Robinson’s office. He spends most of the day behind her desk, napping in his dog bed surrounded by toys. 

But when someone comes to the office door, Stetson greets them with kisses and tail wags.

“Many (seniors) come in here, pet him, talk to him,” Robinson said. “They buy him treats all the time, or clothes. A lot of them will go take him on a walk outside, so he’s being used as a form of exercise as well.”

Debra Davis, a caregiver from Athens, often brings new outfits for Stetson when she visits. She said most of the clothes she buys don’t fit because he is so little, but she enjoys dressing him up anyway.

“I pick him up sometimes and bring him out here,” Davis said. “He’s so friendly, and he’ll go to anybody. And everyone comes to the door and speaks to him.” 

For the center’s Halloween costume party on Oct. 31, Robinson dressed as a server from The Varsity. Stetson was a hot dog. 

Shanna Harris, a frequent visitor from Lexington, carried Stetson around the center to show off his costume, earning him many pets and cuddles. Harris said she loves having Stetson around and thinks everyone else enjoys him, too.

Davis agrees.

“Everyone loves him,” Davis said. “He’s always in somebody’s arms because he’s a sweet puppy.” 

As the center settled down for bingo, Stetson curled up in his dog bed for the rest of the morning. Robinson said since he’s grown up at the center, Stetson is used to the seniors. 

“He doesn’t bark or anything,” she said. “He’s got his little bed back here, so really, honestly, you wouldn’t know he was here if you didn’t know we had one.”