How were the participants selected? Were the participants representative of the larger population? How were the participants assigned to groups? Did the groups start out the same?

Can you please help me with these questions for an assignment? The study must be using an experimental method design.
I believe this one is, but not sure. Thank you very very much for your help!
The Effects of Animal-Assisted Therapy on Loneliness in an Elderly Population in Long-Term Care FacilitiesMarian R. Banks, William A. Banks
https://academic.oup.com/biomedgerontology/article/57/7/M428/553460
How were the participants selected? Were the participants representative of the larger population?
How were the participants assigned to groups? Did the groups start out the same? Was there any bias in how the participants were assigned to groups?
What did the researchers do to ensure the experimental procedures were equal across the groups? If they did not ensure the procedures were equal, what should the researchers have done? Did the researchers follow APA ethical guidelines in conducting the research?
What were the independent and dependent variables of the experiment?
What was the outcome of the experiment?