This week’s therapy cat visit was at the pair of assisted living facilities that are near our home. Because the residents all have some degree of dementia or Alzheimer’s, it always surprises my human when they remember us — but many of them do!
There were regulars at both houses who recognized us this visit. At the first house, there was the lady who always has me give her lots of high fives, and the woman who cries every time she sees me. At the second house, one woman remembered me that my human didn’t remember! The last time she saw us must have been a long time ago, before the pandemic. And there is also the woman who not only remembers me, but also my breed and my age, but who only visits with me for about a minute.
But the really special visits happened at the first house. One woman wanted to see me who never was that interested in me before. She was a large, mostly nonverbal woman with eyes that went in different directions. She spent a very long time petting me with hands that were heavy but not rough.
The other special visit happened a little while later. There is one man we see every time we go to this house. He is usually on the couch, dozing. His hands are always bound in these surgical mittens. My human has never asked why. She thinks anything going on with the residents or patients on our visits is none of her business. But she assumes it’s because he would otherwise harm himself or others.
Anyhow, he wasn’t there at first, but about halfway through our visit he came into the big living room where everyone was. And he looked at me like he had never seen me before, his face curious with a touch of delight. And slowly he walked up to me and stood in front of me while I was on the couch being petted by another resident. For a moment our eyes locked, and I gave him a slow blink. He knew what I meant.
I think it was one of my best visits there.
- Maybe The Humans Who Need My Therapy Cat Visits the Most
- Visiting the Assisted Living Houses
- Embarrassing Therapy Cat Visit
You work wonders Summer. What a wonderful pair you are working together.
Summer yore THE bestest meddycin fore these deer peepell…..
Bet tHE man reememburrss yore slow blink fore a lon gtime 😉
***Hi-5’ss*** BellaDharma an ((huggiess))BellaSita Mum
That last story made us get a tissue. You and your human do pawesome work, Summer.
You have no idea probably of the impact your visits have on these folks – a few moments of distraction from their every day lives with a sweet kitty who is ALL about love….it’s magic!
Hugs, Teddy
Oh Summer you had me in tears. Animals are so special to people in need. It’s proven that cats and dogs have opened up the world for people with autism. You did something very special for that poor man. You gave him a moment of happiness. I love you for what you do. I’ve had some terrible experiences with humans, some who supposedly loved me. There’s been both physical and emotional abuse. I think that’s why I connect to animals. I love them. You give unconditional love
Once again you have brought joy to so many:)
Thank you, Summer!
That does sound like a magically wonderful visit sweet Summer!
That was a special and amazing visit, for sure, Summer. We love that you connected with that man. 🙂
Awww, so sweet! The work you and your human are doing is SO special, Summer!
That was atruly magical visit Summer !
It is wonderful that you bring a ray of sunshine into the lives of so many people, Summer.
You and your human spread so much joy. I feel so bad for people in those facilities without their families with them. XO
Summer, what a loving and good girl you are.
What a wonderful visit you had, Summer!
Summer, I think seeing you is the highlight of the day for many of the residents 🙂
You made them smile and they were happy for a good while.
Cat therapy is SO worthwhile!!!!
Purrs, Julie
You always bing so much joy to people whose lives can be so sad and bland, Summer.
Purrs,
The Chans
Good for you…bringing happiness to people locked in and
away from their own pets.