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"The holidays are a time for cheer, family and good tidings \u2014 even if grandpa or grandma can't make it to this year's festivities.\nAn MIT-based startup GeriJoy created an app that helps families keep their loved ones company when they can't be there themselves. The app offers a virtual companion, in the form of a dog, that speaks and plays with its users. \n\"The GeriJoy companion is the modern realization of the fabled talking dog,\" the company says. The talking dog not only keeps home - or hospital-bound elderly company, but also acts as a personal assistant. It offers the benefits of pet therapy without all the mess. \nAmong its many features, the talking dog can reassure the user, ask them how they're doing and even report back to concerned relatives. Imagine knowing just how your loved one felt on any given day, ensuring that they are alright. \n\nGeriJoy was revered as one of the most innovative senior care companies by AARP and other leaders. A recent study in The Wall Street Journal linked loneliness with dementia and other ailments such as Alzheimers. \nThe GeriJoy service requires an Android device (tablet or phone) with front camera and a Wi-Fi connection. But the service comes with a steep price, about $5 per day or $990 a year. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.\nImage courtesy of GeriJoy"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2012/12/27/gdigital-therapy-dog/>