Meals on Wheels People made sure he didn’t have to choose — and helped him stay healthy, independent, and at home with Mojo.
At 65, Larry knows what it means to serve and sacrifice. He grew up in Camas and Washougal, enlisted in the Army at 19, and today lives with the physical toll of that service: disabilities that make everyday tasks harder than they used to be.
But Larry’s not facing them alone — he has Mojo.
Mojo is Larry’s service dog and constant companion. “He’s everything to me,” Larry says. “I take care of him as if he was my child. He comes first.”
Mojo also keeps Larry moving. “He’s a high-energy dog,” Larry laughs. “I have to walk him a couple times a day. He gets me out, every day.”
A Hard Choice No One Should Have to Make
For older adults living alone on fixed incomes, every month can bring impossible choices: Food or rent? Electricity or medication? And for pet owners like Larry, it’s one more decision no one should be forced to make: Feed yourself or feed your pet.
“I ended up in the hospital for malnutrition,” Larry says. “I just didn’t have food. But Mojo was dependent on me. I felt that responsibility.”
Larry made the choice so many older adults with pets are forced to make — to go without for themselves so they can care for the companion who gives them purpose, structure, and love. And in Larry’s case, that choice came with even higher stakes: Mojo isn’t just a pet. He’s a trained service animal who helps Larry navigate life with multiple disabilities that affect his daily living.
That’s when Meals on Wheels People reached out.
Connecting Older Adults to Pet Care and Support
Barbara, a Meals on Wheels People volunteer, delivers a meal — and a moment of connection — to Larry at his front door.
Through meal deliveries and the Meals on Wheels People Pet Program, Larry received the support he needed — not just to survive but to stay healthy, independent, and emotionally grounded.
“My overall health has gotten a lot better,” Larry says. “I was having problems staying conscious because of the malnutrition. That’s scary. But now I know tomorrow I’m going to be in my own home. And I get to keep my dog.”
Thanks to local partnerships with veterinarians and providers, the Pet Program provides more than food. Depending on location, it can also connect older adults with:
- Access to free or discounted veterinary care
- Pet food delivered to their doorstep
- Grooming and pet supplies
- Emotional support that comes from knowing someone cares
“There’s a lot more to it than just the meals,” Larry says. “They’ve done a lot for me and Mojo. It’s meant a lot to me emotionally.”
Why Pets Matter
- 56% of older adults report feeling lonely
- 100% of Meals on Wheels People participants with pets say their pet brings happiness
- Seniors with pets report more social interaction with friends and family
- More than 1 in 5 seniors go without food to feed their pets
- Half of pet-owning participants cannot access veterinary care due to cost or transportation
Independent — and Not Alone
“I don’t want to go live in a facility,” he says. “I need my independence.”
With regular meals, support for Mojo, and a friendly face at the door, Larry has the stability he needs — and the dignity he deserves. Meals on Wheels People helps him stay nourished, connected, and independent.
“It’s very stressful when you’re struggling with your health and your pet’s health,” Larry says. “That’s a lot of weight off my shoulders.”
Now, he’s walking through life one day — and one walk — at a time. And he’s not walking through it alone.
Help Older Adults Avoid the Impossible Choices
Too many older adults face impossible choices every day.
With your help, they won’t have to choose between food, medication, or caring for a beloved pet. Give today to support dignity and independence.
