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Niagara Region's Pawsitivity Program wins Community Connections Award
June 16, 2026
Niagara Region’s Pawsitivity program has received the Community Connections Award at this year’s AdvantAge Ontario Conference, highlighting its impact on resident well-being. By introducing animal companionship into long-term care homes, the program is creating meaningful moments of comfort and connection every day.
Since launching, the program has made a positive difference for residents in Niagara Region’s long-term care homes. By offering safe and welcoming opportunities to interact with animals, the Pawsitivity program helps reduce loneliness, enhances emotional well-being, and creates shared moments of joy for residents, families and staff.
The program’s impact is being felt beyond long-term care homes. Through partnerships with local shelters, animals involved in the program are finding permanent homes more quickly. For instance, the Welland SPCA has noted that some of the participating dogs are being adopted within one to two weeks of spending time with long-term care residents, families and staff, often after having spent extended time in the shelter before being part of the program. In one case, a staff member adopted a visiting dog, who has since become the Pawsitivity program’s mascot.
“This award means a lot because it reflects both the impact of the Pawsitivity program and the collaboration behind it,” said Gina Stringer, Chief of Operations for Long-Term Care. “It shows what can happen when residents, families, staff and community partners come together to create something meaningful for the people who live in our homes. Seeing the difference the Pawsitivity program is making is incredibly rewarding.”
The program has grown through strong collaboration among residents, staff, families and community partners. Many employees now bring their own pets for visits, while partnerships with organizations like the Humane Society of Greater Niagara and the Niagara SPCA and Humane Society support fostering and adoption initiatives across several homes.
“This award reflects the compassion, innovation and teamwork across our long-term care homes,” said Paolo Varias, Director of Seniors Services. “Programs like Pawsitivity show how meaningful partnerships and creative approaches can have a lasting impact on residents’ quality of life. We’re proud of how the program has grown and excited to see it continue.”
The Community Connections Award honours programs that build strong relationships between long-term care homes and the broader community. Through visits, fostering and adoption partnerships, the Pawsitivity program is helping strengthen those connections while enhancing residents’ quality of life.
Media contact
Janet Rose
Senior Communications Specialist
Niagara Region
289-668-3629
janet.rose@niagararegion.ca
