I love offering my purr therapy at hospitals. Sometimes all the noise, machinery and confusion make me a little nervous at first, but the moment I settle down with my first patient, I remember why I’m there. My human says it’s like I go into a zen state.
This visit started off in a very ordinary manner. A couple of patients were allergic and couldn’t see me. One guy wanted to know if I liked football because he was watching a game. I sat in his lap for a while. I saw my friend on the fourth floor with the artificial arm. An older lady getting rehab smiled when she saw me — her face completely lit up. While I snuggled with another older woman, her husband told me about the cat they had for 10 years, who died of kidney disease. He explained how his daughter, who had been in veterinary school (and was also there) tried to save the kitty. Plus I did a couple of high fives to entertain patients who were weren’t bedridden.
I also had an unusual visit — a special request from a family, nurse and patient in a wing of the hospital I don’t usually visit. I think this wing gets therapy pet visits during the week, but it’s not scheduled for Sundays. So at the end of our time at the hospital my human took me over there. The whole family was there with the patient — the man’s parents, and two younger women, probably his wife and his sister. He had been in the hospital for many weeks, and missed his cat at home.
You never know what a patient is going through (on very rare occasions, they will tell you). Mainly, as a therapy animal, you are there to help them forget, and that was my role on this visit. But my human could tell that this man, who was probably in his 30s, had gone through something awful. He was in a wheelchair, and his legs were stick-thin from disuse. He could only move his hands awkwardly and he had a patch covering one eye. It was hard for him to speak, but she could tell he loved to talk, and that when he wasn’t going through whatever trauma or illness he was experiencing, he was witty, fun and enjoyed some of the same pop culture she did. But for now he was weak, frail and had a hard time communicating. It reminded my human about how fragile life is, and how things can change in an instant. It was nice to see his family there, supporting him as he healed.
Sometimes the hospital puts little things in the volunteer room as gifts for the people who give their time. This time, they had little coin purses and cute, heart-shaped badge holders.
It’s a nice gesture of them, but they really don’t have to do it. The pleasure is all ours.
See all of Summer’s merch at her Designercat Shop, available on Zazzle.
Great job, Summer! You make so many feel better.
You are a good girl Summer.
You are the best!
What an extra special visit. You know you are quite the team when your presence is requested. I couldn’t do what your human does, more strength to her for being such a great listener with lots of patience. I’m glad you saw that man.
You’re racking up karmic Brownie points. I wish more hospitals would allow patients to bring their own for visits.
We are glad you are able to bring comfort to those in the hospital, Summer. We are sure they appreciate it very much.
Oh Summer, that is such a great thing that you and your human are doing.
Super Job! Keep spreading the happiness and love, it’s forever lasting. Purrs
We’re so glad you were able to help those people.
We love how you bring joy to all the patients, Summer.
you are truly doing some great work.
Oh Summer I just know you brought some smiles and happiness to that man AND his family and to everyone else you visited on your therapy trip to the hospital. Sometimes humans just need to remember a past pet, or be around an animal who doesn’t ask any questions or make any demands – and just brings them some moments of PEACE. You do that – it’s a REAL GIFT dear girl.
Love, Teddy and Mom Pam
This post brought a tear to my eye. I say it often, but what you and your human are doing is so incredibly special.
You’re such a good kitty.
You are such a joy for so many sweet Summer!
Summer we love the saying on the coin purse. And my sweet friend I just love your candy stripped bow tie
Hugs madi your bfff
Oh, Summer, this brought tears to Mommy’s eyes. What a wonderful and special visit. You should really write a book about your therapy visits.
What a wonderful post, Summer. You and your mom are amazing! Thank you so much for the help you are giving to people. Our Mom hopes there will be more therapy cats in the future, at all hospitals, and should the time and situation come, that there is one or more that can come visit her.
And with some of the awful loss of life that has happened recently in the news, we must share our love with family, friends, and even someone we’ve never met before. You are a credit to us all, Summer!
It’s always wonderful to read about your therapy visit, Summer. You bring so much joy to the humans you meet. I hope the gentleman will make recovery soon. xo
Thank you, Summer, for doing such an awesome job of bringing the patients happiness in your visits.
Your post brought tears to my eyes . People are so lucky to have you and your owner making such a big difference in this world . Helping someone forget about their pain is such a gift ❤️❤️❤️
It’s so wonderful that you and your human are helping so many people with your purr therapy. We can imagine how you brighten that man’s day. That story warmed our hearts. You’re a very special kitty, Summer.
You bring so much joy to people, Summer ! That’s wonderful ! Purrs
You are a gift to the world Summer
Yur toe-tallee pawsum sweet Summer!! An you purrvide comfort an luv wherever you goes….
Yur a reel Buudhist Kittygurl at heart!
~~~head rubsss~~~ Siddhartha Henry~~~
Purr Therapy, from a Pretty Cat!!
What more could anybody ask for?
Summer, you and your Human have mine and mom’s admiration. We know we have told you that but today, we wanted to tell you again, because we were so happy to read your happiness with helping people, realizing their struggles and that indeed, you never ever know when everything turns on a dime. Making a difference while you’re there is an awe inspiring thing. You go, Girls
I think you made Dad get a little wet around the eyes Summer.
He says thank you and so do I
You and your human are both amazing.
We are always so touched by the work you do as a therapy cat, Summer, but this story is especially touching. It must mean so much to the patients and families to have your very special form of therapy arrive just when they need it most.
We are so proud of the work you do…. Just being there we are sure makes so much difference for people
Aw, Summer. That made us sad at first. We’re glad you got to visit that young man.
Maybe you could put that little heart on your collar. It must be nice to be appreciated.
You are so great to visit people in hospitals and brighten their days
Summer, you and your human totally rock. Seriously.
Oh Summer, you are such a very good girl, and your Human is too. We had to wipe a tiny tear reading about the young man. But I bet you really cheered him up–we bet he was thrilled to get to see and pet you since it might still be awhile before he got to see his own kitty again. XOXOXO
Sounds like you had a wonderful therapy cat visit and brought joy to many people. Keep up the good work.
Summer, we suspect that you are at your best with the Beins having the hardest time of things. That is a precious gift that you have and that you provide… And we bet that those you visit who are least able to say “thank you”, thank you the most.
What you do, Summer, is so very important and so very precious.
Purrs,
The Chans
Summer, you are extra special. I do not have the temprament to do what you do. I sure admire you!
Purrs
Marv
None of us know how much time we have, and no one is guaranteed anything. I know you brightened up these folks’ days. We love you!
Purrz!
Selina
You are such a great ambassador for therapy animals Summer. Thank you.
I love this post, Summer. It reminds me of so many things. Too many to write. But wow, I love what you do! Hugs and love!
Summer, we want to say a great big THANK YOU to you for those who can’t say it themselves and maybe can’t say it to you themselves. And here’s a great big purr and thanks to animals and people like you who give themselves to people who need you. We love and admire you and your peeps for all you do to help suffering all the time!
You surely did wonders for that poor man, Summer.
Petcretary gets much the same kind of feeling of being uplifted when one or more of her residents that she takes care of brightens up when they recognize her…and often those peeps are uncommunicative otherwise. And yes for sure, *every* moment is a gift to be treasured!
what a wonderful job you do, Summer!!
We love reading about your therapy visits! Thanks for sharing!
Love,
Mia, Mosby, Angel Cosmo and Angel CJ
How awesome that you could visit that man and maybe help him feel a little bit better despite the hard time he was going through. Even a small moment of brightness can help someone. 🙂