But it’s one particular being that brightens her day in the most profound way.

“Gypsy comes to see me every second Wednesday and I love seeing her,” Mrs Dunlop, 92, said.

“I used to breed collie dogs once upon a time, but we can’t have pets here so Gypsy certainly brings back memories. 

“She’s just gorgeous.”

Elderly Australians and their pets will receive an extra helping hand this year as the Animal Welfare League Australia has announced a new small grants program to deliver $10,000 to support pets in aged care settings.

The Pets in Aged Care Grants program will allocate small grants of up to $1000 to help aged care facilities and residents make suitable arrangements or modifications to enable residents and their pets to live together.

Gypsy’s owner, Karen Farrow, has welcomed the news.

“Gypsy and I have been a part of the Delta Pet Therapy program for the past five years (they visit Mount Carmel Aged Care every fortnight) and connecting animals with people in aged care is such an important issue,” Karen, of Bolwarra Heights, said.

“There are lots of people in aged care facilities who have had pets and can’t bring them into the facility with them, so they really miss them.”

The small grants program is a continuation of the welfare league’s Positive Ageing in the Company of Animals Project, which began last year.

The project is surveying ­retirement villages and nursing homes across Australia to identify successful models for keeping ­residents and their pets together.

Applications for the Pets in Aged Care grants are now open at www.awla.com.au and can be made by aged care facilities, residents and family and friends on behalf of residents by September 5.