I went the hospital where I usually visit children yesterday. The team that was also there was Josie, the other therapy cat, and her human. We worked the pediatrics ward together, and then Josie’s human suggested my human and I go to the Rainbow Room by ourselves while he and Josie did another floor. He figured that since the Rainbow Room — the waiting room for outpatient kids — was usually pretty quiet, we could handle it on our own.
Well, before we even walked through the gate to the building, one of the employees said, “We have a clinic today, so it’s a full house!” And it was true — I’ve never seen so many kids and parents in the waiting room. It was at least twice as crowded as the most crowded I’ve ever seen it before! So my human shoved our tote off to one side, put me on the floor, sat next to me, and loads of kids came up to visit. It felt like miles of children!
Some of the kids are developmentally disabled, and they are all really young, mostly under 5, so it was pretty wild. Children that young, even if they don’t have anything going on medically, are still learning how to handle animals. I don’t know how other cats would deal with this type of situation. I gather it would not be fun for them. But I just sit there and let the kids do what they want with me. I know my human will keep them from being too rough, like the couple of kids who tried to grab my ear, or the one who grasped my tail. My human just gently removed their hands. I could tell even she was pretty surprised I didn’t put my ears back or flick them away. But I’m very passive around children, and that’s just the way it is.
There were a couple of children my human watched very carefully while they were interacting with me. One of them was an odd little boy who was afraid at first, then would not leave me alone. He kept getting in the way of other children enjoying me, and my human was very relieved when his name got called to for his appointment. The other child was a toddler who was wearing something that looked like a helmet, only it was made of some sort of soft material. His parents brought him over to touch me, and he was very graspy, so my human had to make sure he didn’t actually pull my fur or hurt me. But we both knew it was still important for the boy to have contact with me — and I was probably the only cat who could cope with it.
Not all the kids were rough, though! There were the little girls who were delighted to pet me, and the boy who didn’t pet me much, but who kept lying down in front of me and staring intently into my face. He was really fascinated by me. We spent a much longer time in the Rainbow Room than normal.
I have to say, though, my favorite visits were the one-on-one hospital bed visits with the kids in the pediatrics ward. They were all very sweet kids, and a little older than the Rainbow Room children. I really, really liked one boy, and we sat together on the bed, and I purred lots for him. You know, some people you really have a connection with? That was like me and this boy. My human hated to pull me away, since she could tell how much we were both enjoying the visit.
Making the rounds of this many children can be exhausting! But it was a very good visit.
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What a fantastic visit! Thank you for being so patient with the developmentally disabled children. As you know, our mom has been working with that population for over 25 years and she loved reading that you were so good with them. One of her group homes has a cat! He’s mommy’s favorite client!
Summer you are incredible! My oldest step daughter just had 3 major surgeries this past Thursday and I think as an adult she would have loved if you could visit her (but she is in Michigan). She has spina bifida and mental health issues…..so what you are doing for children with developmental issues is just catabulous!! You totally rock! xoxo
If there were medals for good therapy kitties, you would get the biggest gold medal ever!
You’re a rare cat to be so easy with children. My dog is very gentle with them, even though she doesn’t see many anymore, but she likes it best when they are gentle back.
Summer! I am totally in awe! You are such a wonderful cat. I, Marvelous have never been around kids…I am afraid of most people and I am sure that kids would scare the heck out of me!
Purrs
Marv
I’m going to start calling you St. Summer. You’ve earned it. It’s sad that so many kids are sick.
I think you earned your “saint” title today!
I hope the boy you made a connection with gets better soon, but if not, maybe you can visit him again.
Summer, you’re such a special kitty! Your therapy sessions make our hearts happy!
I’m a bit freaked out by kids under regular circumstances, so I really admire the patience and kindness both you and your human showed those children!
you are so wonderful, Summer. Just amazing.
Wow, Summer, ! What a lot of good you are doing for these kids and their parents to see them treated like regular people !
You rock, Summer!
you are really special. i can’t imagine the boyz surviving 20 seconds in that type of environment… great work.
I love your patience Summer. I bet you made those kids’ days!
What a day it sounds like you had! We are proud of you for being so patient and understanding; that goes for your human, too. You two are amazing!
You are truly amazing, Summer ! How many cats could do it among so many young children ? You bring so much joy and happiness to people !! Purrs
You are truly a Saint , Summer. XO
These kids are likely going to be talking about this visit for days. For some, it may well be a life changing experience. Great job, both of you!
Summer you are very brave and patient! Kiddos have kinda shrill voices and that would probably freak me out but you are a professional and we are so happy it went well. I think if I were a therapy cat one on one would be my favorite kinda visit
Hugs madi your bfff
Summer, what a good girl you are. It runs clear through you.
Pretty Summer, I am so happy for that boy, who had the privilege of hearing you show off your loud purr!! Hope you also rubbed your head against him!
You are one in a million, Summer! We are amazed with your calm in unpredictable situations.
A truly amazing feline!
You are very brave Summer, I know I would not be able to do this. It is an important job!
purrs,
Mindy
Wow! Great job sweetheart! What an exhausting and exciting day that must have been. Your mom must be super patient. One can never predict how the day will go. You are an amazing kitty. Keep up the great purrtherapy. Purrs
Well done, Summer!
Good job Summer. You really do such good work with the therapy.
You sure made so many so very happy, way to go sweet Summer!
You are doing a wonderful thing for these kids, Summer. It must be kind of sad to see so many sick children.
You are amazing, Summer. I am sure that not many cats, even therapy cats would be as good as you with grabby children. I say it every time, but what you do is so good for the patients and I am sure you help them so much.
Wow, Summer. You’re so patient!