? A pilot program is giving senior dogs a new "leash" on life with senior adults in Edgewater.

Merynda Fuellhart, of Whippany, helped place 12-year-old chocolate Labrador retriever Beethoven at the Sunrise assisted living home. Beethoven is 84 in dogs years and the average age of residents at the home is 86. When Fuellhart first met the dog, she says she though he was sad and would die soon.

Now the pooch prowls the halls at the home and gets attention from everyone. Resident Paulina Andreyko says she?s more than happy to give Beethoven as much love and snacks as he wants. Advocates say they have seen great improvement and an awakening in seniors who were previously withdrawn.