A Heartwarming Adoption Story: Vinny and Gemma

For some older adults living alone, pets are an important connection and source of happiness. In January, Boston Senior Home Care was pleased to sit down with one such older adult and hear about how having a dog has changed his life.

Vincent “Vinny” Raneiri has lived in Boston’s North End since childhood. As he aged, he moved into Ausonia Apartments, a public housing community for low income older adults and people with disabilities in the North End. For 12 of his 30 years in Ausonia, Vinny was accompanied by his rescue dog, Boot.

When asked why he enjoyed having a pet, Vinny responded, “I feel more comfortable with company. It makes me feel good. It gets your mind off your sickness, and keeps you busy.”

However, when Boot fell ill, Vinny was devastated to learn that he would have to be put down.

“I was depressed and everything. It’s terrible to be alone when you’re sick. I knew that I had to find another dog to feel better.”

After a period of mourning, Vinny felt that it was finally time to find a new companion dog. However, the search wouldn’t be easy. For two months, Vinny visited many animal shelters around Massachusetts, only to be met with challenges at every turn.

“They felt that I was too old to have a dog. One of them wanted me to have a dog that was 10 years old with health problems. Another place said that I needed to have a dog to get a dog,” he confided. After visiting countless shelters, Vinny was beginning to feel hopeless.

Luckily, Marlene Choi from Boston Senior Home Care noticed his trouble. As the Tenant Resource Counselor for Ausonia, Marlene was in contact with The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL), an organization that frequently visited Supportive Housing apartment buildings to host Pet Wellness Events. At these walk-in clinics, residents are able to get free nail trimming and grooming services, as well as pet food and supplies, at no charge.

The next time the ARL came to visit Ausonia, Marlene was quick to introduce Vinny to Anna Yorks, the ARL’s Community Programs Coordinator and experienced animal specialist. Vinny was invited to visit the ARL’s animal shelter in Boston’s South End.

The minute Vinny walked into the room, one young puppy ran up to him and kissed him on the cheek.

“I let her come to me. She had two sisters, but I knew Gemma was the one,” he recalled fondly.

The adoption process at ARL was remarkably quick. All of the animals at the shelter are vaccinated and fixed ahead of time, so Vinny was able to walk out with Gemma on the same day he met her.

“All other places, they wanted a background check, where I live, this and that. With the ARL, you just walk in and they treat you like a normal human being. The whole team is very nice.”

Since adopting Gemma, the residents at Ausonia have noticed how Vinny has been happier.

“I’m really glad that he was able to adopt. After he adopted Gemma, you could see a whole change in his face. He’s so happy now. It’s amazing how a pet can completely change someone’s emotions,” Marlene shared.

Vinny will continue to visit the ARL when they come to Ausonia for Pet Wellness Events. He recommends them to any older adult looking to adopt a pet.

“At The Animal Rescue League of Boston, we firmly believe that pets are family,” Anna declared. “As the Community Programs Coordinator, I find joy in helping keep pets and their families together by partnering with communities and organizations, including Boston Senior Home Care. When I met Vinny at our most recent Pet Wellness Event, I was confident he could find his next four-legged family member through one of our shelters. I received the wonderful news about Vinny adopting Gemma in December and am so excited to meet her at our next Pet Wellness Event.”

Companionship is an important part of mental and emotional health for people of all ages. By partnering with The Animal Rescue League of Boston, Boston Senior Home Care is happy to help Supportive Housing residents like Vinny care for pets and age with loving companions.