Pet-Friendly Senior Living in Dallas

Everything’s bigger in Texas, including the welcome that Dallas gives to pets. The city is home to the longest-running state chapter of the American Kennel Club and to dozens of restaurants, parks, and tourist attractions that are happy to say howdy to four-legged visitors. Dallas is also home to no fewer than 4 “barkeries” that turn out fresh-made treats and stock premium foods for pets with a refined palate.

A warm welcome at pet-friendly Dallas senior communities

More than 140 Dallas senior communities will welcome your pet along with you. For active seniors who want to rock retirement without the hassle of housekeeping and cooking, Whiterock Court in north-central Dallas offers easy downtown access in a quiet neighborhood along the White Rock Creek Greenbelt. The popular White Rock Lake Dog Park is currently undergoing renovations and should re-open by the end of the year. The independent-living community offers its residents guest-stay privileges at hundreds of sister properties across North America, too.

For seniors seeking pet-friendly aging-in-place options, Sunrise of Plano, in the suburbs north of Dallas, provides a full continuum of arrangements from independent living to assisted living and specialized Alzheimer’s care. Sunrise of Plano residents can take part in on- and off-site activities with transportation provided. Nearby Jack Carter Dog Park is also being upgraded this summer, with new shade pavilions, lighting, seating areas, and other improvements set to debut this fall.

In the northwest suburb of Lewisville, Elmcroft of Vista Ridge welcomes pets and offers assisted living and memory care services. Residents can use Elmcroft’s onsite beauty and barber services, and an available doctor, nurse, dentist, and podiatrist make healthcare and preventive care more convenient. The Toyota of Lewisville Railroad Park features a huge, 6-acre dog park with covered seating, dog wash stations, and an entire acre set aside just for small dogs.

Treats for people and pets

If a morning at the park leaves everyone’s stomach growling, there are more than 80 dog-friendly eateries around Dallas, from gastropubs and breakfast cafes to French bistros and, of course, plenty of Tex-Mex. Can’t decide where to go first? You and your dog can ride on the Uptown McKinney Avenue trolley and debark at one of the many dogs-welcome eateries along the line. At the other end of the line is another off-leash area for dogs in Klyde Warren Park. Other places where pups are welcome: the Dallas Farmers Market, North Oak Cliff’s cool Bishop Arts District, and the historic Dallas Heritage Village.

Something for everyone and their dog

There are pet-centric events happening all year long in Dallas. Each spring, Cotton Bowl Field becomes a dog park for a day during the Dog Bowl community event. Summertime means dog splash and swim days at selected parks and community pools across the Dallas metro area. The Texas Kennel Club holds 2 all-breed shows annually, plus obedience, agility, and rally trials. And members of the Dallas Bird Society meet each month to share information about exotic bird care and to learn from speakers and field trips about pet and wild birds.

Ready to find a community for you and your furry companion? Read ratings and reviews of assisted living in Dallas on SeniorAdvisor.com.

Learn more about Dallas Senior Living here:

• Dallas Assisted Living
• Dallas Nursing Homes
• Dallas Alzheimer’s Care
• Dallas 55+ Communities
• How Much Does Dallas Assisted Living Cost?
• How Much Do Dallas Nursing Homes Cost?

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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.