Some people will stick with golden retrievers or Labradors or German shepherds. Those are all relatively intelligent, trainable dogs. Also, when you go to pick out the dog, pick out one that walks to you and wants to be petted. You want a dog that is interactive, but not hyperactive. Fortney said dogs are not the only animals that make good companion pets for the elderly.
Cats are one of the best companion animals.
If a person is sick or gone for a day or two, it's much easier to have a neighbor feed the cat or to have the cat boarded than it is for a dog. They are easy-keepers and are very social animals. Birds don't need a lot of space, so they're easy to have in an apartment. In general, Fortney said that it's totally up to the individual as to what pet to get. Some people like different sizes of dogs or different animals.