I'm surprised more Nursing homes don't do exactly what you're saying.
More and more are beginning to do this...there was one nursing home on TV, that actually makes having resident animals part of its program...the nursing home is geared to having a large assortment of birds, cats, and dogs that actually live in its nursing home...all the nurses and aides and workers must be comfortable working alongside of animals, or they just dont work there...and no resident is forced to befriend an animal if they dont want to...but the animals are there for those who wish to befriend them...
Slowly, the benefits of having animals around, is being recognized by more and more nursing homes...the residents are happier, seem to be healthier, and for some residents, the animals provide the only 'being', they will communicate with...