Whenever possible, my human and I like to make therapy cat visits to hospitals on holidays. But when we looked at Thanksgiving a while back, the slots for our regular Thursday hospital were already filled. So we had to settle for Thanksgiving week. We chose Monday because that’s when they schedule the therapy pets to visit Behavioral Medicine.
But before going over there, we spent an hour visiting our regular wings, Pediatrics and Skilled Nursing. Only one patient was in pediatrics for us to visit (two were in isolation, so we couldn’t see them). It was a young girl who was recovering from a very bad episode of food poisoning, and she was delighted to see me.
I got to hang out and snuggle on the bed with her while she petted me. During the visit, a doctor stopped by with a crowd of students and residents, and he explained what was going on with her, and all the girl’s measurements and stats related to her illness. That’s how we knew what was going on with her. The funny thing is the girl wanted to know if I was scared because I was shaking — I was actually purring! She had never felt a cat purr before, and my human had to explain that it meant I was comfortable and happy being there with her. I don’t think about it much, but we kitties really are different from dogs, and we offer a different healing energy than what the dogs do.
We didn’t do any bed visits in Skilled Nursing. Instead we went to the activity room, where patients in wheelchairs were sitting at a table, doing crafts. I sat on the table near a guy who was mixing paint. My human made sure I sat still so I didn’t get in the way or knock things over. A couple of the women wanted photos with me on their laps. I’m not really a lap kitty — I’m way more of a bed kitty! — but I did my best to stay for photos. By the time we finished there, we needed to go to Behavioral Medicine.
Our Behavioral Medicine visits happen in an activity room. We wait there until the staff brings in the patients. This time there were two men and a woman. I sat on a towel in a chair while the patients told us stories about the cats in their lives. I got petted a lot.
On the way back to sign out, I walked most of the way on my leash. People are always amazed by that and I get a lot of attention… which I enjoy. It was a nice visit, even if it wasn’t on the holiday.
I’m so sorry Summer. You brought so much joy to humans who really needed cheering up. Hopefully soon sweetie.
I have been in the hospital a number of times and always wanted to see a kitty but they did not have one…no dogs for me! Thank you for visiting the patients…wish there were more kitties like you!
I really liked when the little girl thought you were shaking but you were really purring! She’s going to be a cat lady when she grows up for sure! 😉 <3
Your therapy visits are so wonderful, Summer. You and your human are such blessings!
I’m thankful that you and all the other therapy cats (and dogs) are there to give love and healing energy to those in need. Hope you, Boodie and your human have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day.
All cat owners are thrilled to hear other people’s cat stories! It brings peeps together.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Purrz!
Selina
Your a real life saver Summer.❤
You are the best. You are always thinking of Others.
What a lovely, lasting impression for everyone. Happy Thanksgiving to you, your Mom and Boodie. <3
We bet they were all thankful to see you even if it wasn’t on the holiday!
I’ll bet the pets who visit on the holiday get dry turkey like the residents. MOL!
Bless her, she had never felt a cat purr. You did a good deed for Thanksgiving week then. Well done Summer.
How sweet of the little girl to wonder why you were shaking. You spread so much joy. Thank you for the kind words you left on my blog for the loss of KaTwo. XO
I love reading about your visits, Summer. I admire what you and your human do so much. Too sweet that the little girl thought you were shaking.
Such a great story, Summer. I know how much our warm, soft Aby comforts when she curl up next to us and purrs o I know you provided comfort to that young girl. Thank you for all of you do. I’m so glad I found your blog. You and your human have a great, SAFE Thanksgiving!!!
what a great way to help people! I wish our Lucy would be able to do that…..she’s kinda a scaredy cat!
Always love hearing about your therapy visits!
You and your Mom do such important work, We love to hear about your therapy visits. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Summer, mom said if she could have been visited by you when she had her heart surgery, she’d have been out of the hospital much sooner than the 9 days!
Bless!
You were really busy with that visit! Know you brought much joy to everyone there.
That’s so interesting to hear. We would not have thought that our purring might be translated as shaking to someone who has never experienced purrs before. You were able to provide a first time experience to a special little girl. That was something she will never forget. That’s great honey. We are so glad you got to visit this week. Purrs
Sounds like another successful patient visit. I never got visits
from therapy pets the times I was in hospital. However, I can
imagine how nice that would have been. It certainly would
brighten the day.
A lot of people just haven’t yet learned how amazing cats can be!
It sounds like a nice visit Summer.
I’m glad you got a visit in sweet Summer and I’m sure you made their day very special.
What a good visit, Summer. We bet your purring helped calm that little girl down.
I love the episode that the girl thought you were shaking but actually you were purring.
I’m happy for her that she felt purr for the first time 🙂
Oh I think visiting during holiday time is especially wonderful for the patients you see. You are a wonderful break from their routines and those who have pets waiting “back home” enjoy spending time with you. Just think of all the smiles you made!
Hugs, Teddy
It is good that seeing you encourages the patients to talk about their own kitties.
Your visit to Behavioral Medicine was extra special because you reminded the patients of the kitties they have known–happy memories. That gets them out of the hospital for a little while. And it’s always fun to hear kitty stories!