Pet-Friendly Senior Living in Phoenix
Phoenix’s sunny climate, mild winters, and grand scenery are a big draw for retirees, especially those looking to escape harsh northern winters or the humid summers of the Deep South. The city and its suburbs like Scottsdale are great for pets for the same reasons — plenty of sunny parks to explore, mountains to hike, and lots of local business and senior living communities that cater to pets and their owners.
Pet parks and peaks in Phoenix
Phoenix has a long list of outdoor options for people and their pets to enjoy when the weather isn’t too hot. North of the central city, a cluster of dog parks including PetSmart Dog Park, Steele Indian School Dog Park, Rose Mofford Dog Park, and the Northern Horizon Dog Park feature ADA-compliant facilities, seating, watering stations, and doggie pick-up stations.
On-leash dogs are also welcome on selected trails at the nearby Phoenix Mountains Preserve, a piece of wild mountain and valley terrain surrounded by the city. The city provides trail maps, weather advisories, and other useful information online to help you and your pet get the most from a day on the trails.
Right in the middle of all these dog parks and the mountain preserve is La Siena, one of Phoenix’s many pet-friendly senior living communities. La Siena provides independent and assisted living along with lots of amenities for residents, such as the onsite restaurant, bistro, café, and pub for meeting up with friends. La Siena also features a dance studio, a fitness center, and access to a personal trainer to help residents stay fit (and keep up with their pets).
Dog-friendly dining, shopping, and senior living in Scottsdale
Scottsdale, just outside Phoenix, has earned a reputation as an upscale tourist and retirement destination featuring lots of art, culture, and fabulous shopping — and there’s plenty of “retail therapy” for pets, too. Scottsdale is home to several dog-friendly eateries and shops.
Among the most popular pet stops is the local Sprinkles Cupcakes shop, which bakes sugar-free, protein-rich doggie cupcakes frosted with yogurt for four-legged snack fans. For a full dining experience, the Mediterranean-themed Olive & Ivy serves everything from French toast to shrimp risotto, with an expansive patio where dogs are welcome (and given free bones on request).
To get ready for that lunch or dinner out, Scottsdale’s Oh My Dog spa and boutique offers pet-pampering options such as standard grooming along with butter-balm paw massages, hair coloring, and no-anesthesia dental cleaning. Customers can also book a photo shoot for their pups and get the details about doga (dog yoga) classes held at the nearby W Hotel by OMD’s owner. The boutique side of the shop serves up locally made pet treats and a full array of designer collars, leads, toys, and bedding.
In keeping with Scottsdale’s puppy love, there are several senior living communities that welcome pets, including Belmont Village Scottsdale. The award-winning assisted-living and memory care complex features a pool, shaded and misted outdoor areas for relaxing, and easy access to Horizon Dog Park at the Frank Lloyd Wright Softball Fields.
Learn more about Phoenix Senior Living here:
How Much Does Phoenix Assisted Living Cost?
How Much Do Phoenix Nursing Homes Cost?
Find more assisted living in Phoenix, AZ on SeniorAdvisor.com.
Casey Kelly-Barton
Casey Kelly-Barton is an Austin-based freelance writer whose childhood was made awesome by her grandmothers, great-grandmother, great-aunts and -uncles, and their friends.