Robot pets are winning the hearts of seniors in the U.S.

Hundreds of thousands of companion pets are helping to alleviate the pain of loneliness and isolation. While technology is often perceived as a contributing factor to the loneliness epidemic in our culture, one company seeks to demonstrate the opposite. Ageless Innovation has designed "cats" that meow, "dogs" that wag their tails, and "birds" that sing, which have boosted the spirits of many seniors. Additionally, several state-funded programs are providing these interactive animatronic pets to veterans and people in palliative care.

Recently, three districts in Washington D.C. began distributing Joy for All Companion Pets to residents aged 60 and older. Ted Fischer, CEO and co-founder of Ageless Innovation, remarked that the wellbeing and satisfaction that seniors derive from these robots are not just isolated stories. "Multiple clinical studies conducted by AARP, UnitedHealthcare, and other trusted sources have shown that the introduction of robotic [pets] helps improve the quality of life for older adults in relation to depression and social isolation," Fischer stated. In a study conducted at the end of 2024 for the New York State Office for Aging, 93% of recipients of the robotic pets reported an increase in their feelings of joy and companionship as a result of receiving them.

The idea of creating these robots that can respond to their owners with purring, barking, singing, and heartbeat sounds emerged a decade ago from employees at Hasbro, a major toy company. In 2018, the team behind the Joy for All line separated from Hasbro to form Ageless Innovation, distributing over 700,000 pets in 30 countries. Both companies still collaborate closely, with Ageless Innovation holding the exclusive license to adapt Hasbro games to make them accessible to older adults. However, it is the Joy for All pets, which include three types of cats, two breeds of dogs, and a blue bird and cardinal, that have made the greatest impact on their target audience.

According to Fischer, not only pet owners benefit, but also young family members and caregivers. "Ultimately, caregivers are happier when their loved ones are happy," Fischer indicates. While many have encountered the pets through programs like the New York Office for Aging, anyone can purchase them at JoyforAll.com and on Amazon. Fischer emphasizes that the individual bond with the pets is a personal one, and many connect from the very first moment. "We have seen that many recipients become attached to their new pet immediately, naming it and sharing stories about a pet they loved in the past," Fischer concludes. "The simplicity of the technology allows for an immediate connection with most recipients."