I’ve been a therapy cat for over two years now, but my human is still learning new things about me and how I work. This visit was to the childrens’ hospital near us. I’ve only been there a handful of times, and my human noticed I’ve never quite been on my game during these visits. She thought that maybe it was because she was bringing me in with my carrier instead of my sling. Because the hospital only has one team at a time, she thought we didn’t need the sling — she uses it to keep me above and away from the therapy dogs. But she thought maybe it served more of a purpose for me. So this time she brought it… and you know what, I was much happier! I was back to making happy paws and purring, and not fussing until the end, when I was tired.
Because I was acting more like my usual self, my human was also happier. Our first stop at this hospital is always the lobby, where I wander around and visit children waiting for appointments. There was a crowd of them around one table, doing some sort of activity, but they all stopped to surround me and pet me. Although one of the workers reminded them to be gentle, they didn’t need to be told, really. They were very well-behaved.
Next up, we visited the exam rooms, and there were quite a few of them occupied. The first one we visited had a teenage boy with his father. I sat down next to the boy, on his hoodie, which was sitting next to him. Then I got really comfy and started making my happy paws. What can I say, I’m a cat! Of course, I’m gonna lie down on a soft hoodie. He wanted a photo of me with him, and my human was happy to oblige. I visited some other children, and staff members too. The staff members really enjoyed seeing me, almost as much as the kids did.
This is the hospital where I get to visit pre-op patients. There was one for me today, and he was heavily sedated. I stayed in my sling for this visit. He petted me a bit, and I also spent time visiting with his mother and sister. Although they didn’t show it, I’m sure they were very stressed and worried about the boy, and I think my visit was really mostly for them. They took lots of photos with their phone during the visit.
Finally I went to the rehab room, where a boy was doing some exercises with a nurse. His mother and toddler brother were there. I visited with the little brother, and he was cute, and for a child his age, not too grabby. The mother was happy to see him interact with me because the cats at home avoided him. He was in a stroller when I visited, but I bet at home, he probably follows his cats and doesn’t give them much privacy. Well, that is just what toddlers do, so I was lucky to see him in his stroller! When the older boy finished his exercises, he visited with me. “We need another cat,” he told his mother. “No, we already have enough cats!” she told him. So I did not have to go home with them. (Not that my human would have let them have me!)
That was the end of my visit. My human always gives me the option to not go back to a facility if I don’t enjoy it. Because she hadn’t been sure if I enjoyed going to this hospital, this one was the deciding visit. And adding the sling made all the difference. There was no doubt that I loved coming there and I had a good time. So I will be back soon!
Oh… and my human did it again!
Glad that your human found out that you love the sling so much better than the carrier.
Gosh! What a great visit! I am so glad that you enjoyed it. And I LOVE reading about your visits…I would like to be more outgoing…even it it was just NOT hiding when company comes.
Purrs
Marv
Sounds like a great visit with the transport problem, solved. XOCK, angel Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo, Cooper Murphy and Sawyer
Summer sweety paws, I’m not sure what a sling is, but if it makes you happy, then I’m all for it, too! I have seen those human hoodie things and one is advertised with a hoodie pocket where a pussycat could snuggle inside. Mom was thinking that I might like that, ’cause I could snooze up against her tummy while she’s walking around the house. Would you go for one of those if your momma got one? Winky winks.
We’re glad you and your human gave it one more try with a little tweak. You make all the children so happy!
Summer!
I am happy for yoo! It must be challenging to be a therapy cat.
Toffee
Sounds like you had a fab visit making everybody happy,well done Sweetie,xx Speedy
I’m so happy that it went well this time.
That’s so cool that having your sling made your visit so much better, Summer. It sounds like it was a wonderful visit, and you really made lots of patients’ and other friends’ days.
Glad ya had a good time Summer! I like to make happy paws too.
Good job, Summer. TW says it’s not easy to hold something for The Cat to pose with and not get her hand in the shot but she’s not professional like your human who should know better.
We’re encouraged that you’re able to train your human so well, Summer!
I’m so glad your human figured out what was missing for you! You make such an amazing team.
So glad your human was able to find out how to make you be really comfortable at this hospital by using the sling. I’m sure you make the people being treated at the hospital feel just a little bit better for a little while just by being there.
we are sure all those kids loved seeing you. mom is discovering with Chanel that having the “option” of a safe place makes a difference
YAY!! You have one smart human!
It’s wonderful sling made a good difference! Glad you had a good visit. I hope the boy’s operation went well.
We kittehs do luff our routines. Gotta give it to your hoomin, she is smart and knows you pretty well.
You spread so much joy everywhere you go. I told you not to worry about the human’s hand 🙂
We’re glad that that little change with the sling made you enjoy your visit ! And it’s great for the children too, you make them so happy ! Purrs
Summer we felines like what we like right! Good thing your human is 100% in tune to you and how you act and think
You know I love your therapy bowtie
Hugs madi your bfff
Summer, it’s hard to use a camera with one hand, and hold up a treat in the other! Humans just don’t have to coordination like kitties do, so please don’t be too hard on my mom for photobombing you with her paw! Although, it’s kinda funny now that you’ve pointed it out.
I know that your visits to the hospital are so very, very impawtant, and it’s wonderful that you had happy paws, because I’m thinking all of the humans who saw you ALSO had happy paws!
What a wonderful visit and such comfort and joy you brought the patients and their families. We are so proud of you, Summer!
We’re so glad your human figured out how to make you happier on this visit!
Purrs,
The Chans
I shouldn’t wonder that you are happier in the sling rather than all cooped up in a carrier – good thing your human finally figured that out because it sounds as if your hospital visit was beneficial for all.
If I were there, I would have given you a nice gentle Skritch, to make you close your eyes and purr!
The sling looks interesting, though I think my boys may be too big for it. Especially Phinny who weighs 15 pounds! Glad you feel more like yourself and that the kids — and their parents–benefit from your visits.
We’re glad you had your sling, Summer, so your visit went much better.
Isn’t it strange and amazing how the slightly little change to our routine can make a huge impact. Sounds like it was a “happy paws” kinda day. Those are the best. And what’s up with the hand photobombing again? The first pic was funny too. You girls are the best! Purrs
So glad you are a happy cat again Summer and it sure sounds like you had a wonderful visit and made some kids and adults very happy. Good job to both of you.
We are always so proud of the hard work you and your human do to spread the magical power of kitties. We can imaging it’s a bit harder with children sometimes but you are also comforting their families too. Glad the change was made, it sounds like the perfect decision.
Lovely
We’re glad for the kids you found what makes you more comfortable.