I had an especially nice therapy cat visit this week! It was at one of our regular hospitals, and we had a helper. She’s one of the other volunteers in our organization who is currently without a therapy dog. She has a puppy that is training, but he’s not ready yet. So she’s been helping some of us other therapy pet workers on our visits. My human loves having her along because she’s one of the more experienced members of the group, and she handles taking the photos, and serves as an extra pair of hands.
My human picked this visit particularly because it was mostly children. Usually we don’t do visits between Palm Sunday and Easter because people might bring lilies to the patients, and as many of you know, lilies are deadly to cats. Even licking the pollen off our fur can put us into acute kidney failure. But she figured that children would be less likely to have flowers in their rooms… and she was right.
Before we even began our visit, we ran into a group of staff members in a hallway. They seemed to be waiting for a meeting, but they were happy to pause and pet me. That’s always a fun way to start my afternoon! When we got up to the Pediatrics ward, we’d just fetched our bedsheets when a teenage girl saw us. She was standing in the doorway of her room, and her face lit up immediately. I was happy to sit on the bed and spend time with her. She was all by herself. Often the parents are in the room constantly. They even have lounges so that family can sleep in kids’ rooms. But not every parent can be there all the time. So while I enjoy when there are lots of people around, I think I like it even more when the child is alone. They need the company.
All the kids in Pediatrics were nice. One very young boy was a little antsy. My human got the impression that he was kind of tired being in a hospital room. He wandered around, getting into every thing he wasn’t supposed to (kind of like a kitty!). An organization had put together Easter baskets for all the kids, and he tried to give his to my human. So he wasn’t a bad kid, just restless. I think I was actually visiting that room more for the mom. She loved me.
One boy was having some pain in his abdomen, so my human wouldn’t let me crawl on his chest like I wanted to. She made sure I stayed next to him. Once I knew what she wanted, I snuggled and purred lots of the boy. I think he needed it.
Next to Pediatrics is another area with young patients called PICU. Usually there is just one, or maybe no children at all. But this time there were three kids, and I visited them all. They were all so happy to see me, and so were their families. The last boy was a teenager, and we could all tell right away that he’s one of those kids who adores animals. He loved me a lot, and the feeling was mutual.
When we finished visiting all the kids, our time was up for the day! It went really fast because everyone was so nice.
My mommy’s brother gave her some Lilly’s for Mothers Day a couple of years ago and her sweet boy Izzy was very ill in a day or so. The vet couldn’t help him and he was so sick that he died. We are sure it was the Lilly’s. We never bring any flowers in the house anymore and are very careful about what is planted in the yard. Of course you can never have control of what your neighbors plant so it is best to have your fur babies to be indoors unless on leash or in a stroller. I would really have liked to know my brother kitty Izzy, but flowers got in the way. How can something so pretty be so deadly?
Patzy
What a special therapy visit, Summer. You and your human are such great ambassadors of love and hope. XO
We did a post about lilies and cats. People are still amazed to realise when they read our post!!!!
Awwww…. this is one of our favorite visits that you’ve blogged about. We bet both you and your human felt really good after this one.
It’s so nice that your visit brightened the day of all these kids ! You’re doing a pawsome job with your human ! Purrs
Folks and pets who give their time to do this are wonderful. You must really brighten their day.
You and your human are such heroes, Summer. You really and truly are, and we’re so proud to know you.
What a wonderful way to spend so close to Easter. Great choice mom! You two are angels. Thank you for all you do. Purrs
I knew lilies were dangerous, but I didn’t realize licking the pollen off of you could cause kidney failure. No lilies in this house. Sounds like you spread a lot of joy today.
Sounds like you picked the purrfect time to visit Summer.
We would not like to stay in the hospital and we bet those kids would love to be home.
We are sure your visit made their stay a bit happier 🙂
Purrs Georgia,Julie and JJ
Thank you for going and being patient Summer…and your human too. I like knowing you are there. And you show people how loving cats really are when they are reared right.
Way to go. Summer, your human is so nice. My human wouldn’t want to “waste a day” doing something nice like this.
Pretty Summer, you can crawl on me any time you like!
Oh, Summer, how wonderful to bring so much joy. I’m so glad all the young people you visited were happy to see you.
We love reading about your therapy visits Summer!
Purrs,
Mia, Mosby, Angel Cosmo and Angel CJ
Summer, you are very intuitive responding to patients’ needs! Well done, girlfriends!
Summer, you’ve got your game face on!
You look so cute in your tie, Summer! Looks like “no messing around now, this is serious business.” 🙂
Very sweet visit, Summer. You are an angel!
we have no doubt you are the highlight of their days
Such special visits sweet Summer, I know you made their day!
As always, Bless!
another great visit…
Great job – you make the day for these kids.
Sounds like a great visit!
We know you brought some joy into the lives of these children!!
The Florida Furkids
You make people happy everywhere you go on
these visits. I can just picture their excitement
at seeing you there. Your work is very helpful.
That does sound like a wonderful visit. And we liked the photo! You look like you are about to call a meeting to order, and no messing around!
Purrs,
The Chans
Happy Easter! What a great visit!
Summer, you and your human are class acts. I can’t even imagine how many days you’ve made just being you.
Awwwwww Summer, You and your human are Angels on Earth for all you do to make people feel happy when they’re ill! It warms my heart so very much! Happy Easter lovely ladies!