When my human and I showed up at the Pediatrics ward for my latest therapy cat visit, I wondered if I was going to be doing any visiting at all.
“All the kids are in Iso — they all have the flu!” a nurse told me. Then she looked at the board again. “Oh, there is one little girl who you might be able to visit.”
So my human and I went to her room, and yes, she and her mother wanted to see the kitty (i.e., me!). Because she was the only child we were visiting that day, I got to snuggle and spend extra time with her. Whatever had been the reason for her hospital stay, she must have been getting better. Her bed was full of dolls, a tablet, and there was a huge Minnie Mouse balloon in the corner. My human figured the kid was probably getting bored and needed all these things to keep her occupied. It was a cool room too. Someone had painted a sea scape on the wall, with a dog and cat sitting under an umbrella propped up in the sand. In the waves, a cat was surfing. I felt really at home in this room.
The mother asked my human lots of questions about how I became a therapy cat, questions my human is always happy to answer. All I cared about was stretching out and making happy paws while the little girl petted me. The mother was Facetiming with some of her family, and she showed me a few times.
We had a little time after this visit before going over to Behavioral Medicine, so we went down to the Cancer Center. The people in the waiting room weren’t really that interested in me, but the patient receiving chemo was sure happy to see me!
Monday visits always involve Behavioral Medicine. It takes time for the staff in this ward to get things in order for the visit. They are always expecting me, or whoever else is visiting that Monday. This time, they brought four patients into the activity room to see me — one man and three women. One woman seemed very closed off, and another mainly spoke Spanish. The third was a younger woman who smiled when she saw me, but there was still something really sad about her. She kissed and petted me lots, and at one point she started crying.
The Spanish speaking woman was the most social of the group, even though my human was limited in understanding what she had to say. At one point she told my human that her granddaughter had “cinco gatos.” Now, that my human understood! So she replied that she just had “dos gatos.” This lady encouraged the closed off woman to touch me… and she did! My human was surprised, because she didn’t think she would. But not only did she touch me, she petted me a little bit too. I think we did some good in Behavioral Medicine that day.
It may have been a quieter day at the hospital, but it gave both me and my human the chance to notice a lot of details we don’t usually when we are busier.
Meow meow mee thott mee leeved a comment all reddy. It was a quiet day fore you summer butt you made that littel girl furry happy!
an you look so cozy ridin inn THE car.
**purrsss** BellaDharma
Oh Summer what beautiful visit. You and your mom touch so many lives. We are so proud of you two. Purrs
Meow meow Summer you are simplee amazin!!
**purrsss** BellaDharma
It’s super important work that you and your Human do dear Summer…..sometimes bringing a smile to someone’s face is the BEST gift of all.
Hugs, Teddy
It sounds like your slow day was an awesome one, Summer. Thank you for bringing so much love and joy to the world!
Oh Summer it brings me such joy seeing what you bring to people in the hospital. Great job
You have interesting therapy visits . I’m sure you can tell
that you are helping people. Petting a soft kitty can be
a big help to anyone
I love hearing about your therapy visits, you’re such a special kitty!
You really have to be able to turn on a dime, don’t you, Summer?! No kids? Off to another floor! Shy adult? You turn on the charm! I bet they will talk about you in the days to come and remember you as a sweetie!
You guys do such good for sick folks! Bless you both.
Purrz!
Selina
You make such a difference to those patients, it’s wonderful. Thanks for taking me along on these visits, its always fascinating! I love the Valentines!
OMC! Poor kids with the flu. I hope they don’t get that CoronaVirus thing. It’s in Washington State now.
Sounds to me like “You Are My Sunshine” was playing during your visit. You bring such joy and comfort!
Bodacious
You are just an angel, Summer.
I’m sure you made their day!
It sounds like you made some people happy today and that is always a good thing.
What a pawtastic visit! Sometimes slow days can be great days!
I love reading about these visits so much. You are both making a difference in so many lives.
That sounds like a good visit, Summer ! Purrs
I learned how to count in Spanish from Sesame Street, but I can count to 7 🙂 I am now down to ten gatos.
Thank you for the kind words you left on my blog for the loss of Millie. XO
Oh, the flu is so nasty. I’m glad you were able to comfort a few people.
It is so hard with behavioral patients (Dad always did some of that too along with his medical nursing) but the thing is just being there and letting them know you are is important. Sounds like a great visit with that little girl too. A pawsitive day all around
You did pawtastick Summer an Miss J!!! Yore vissitss make that Hospital a bettur place. Wee are sorry there iss a nasty Flu goin ’round an hope you see more peepell next time ’round!
**purrsss** BellaDharma
Even though the one lady was crying, you helped her relieve some sorrow, and we humans need that, Summer.
It does sound like a really good visit and you made a difference again sweet Summer!
Yuo bring such joy to children on these visits.
The Florida Furkids
Sounds like you had another good and productive visit, Summer.
Summer, can you tell us a little more about what Behavioral medicine is? I can guess but I would like to know instead of thinking I do XX
Just petting you a little bit started to bring out the closed off woman. I hope it made her feel happier.
We can imagine how interested people are by what you do and how you learned to do it!
Purrs,
Tama and Genji
I am sure you brighten lots of people’s days in the hospital. It can be a very lonely place.
Summer, you do good wherever you go. In fact, I’d bet you do the most good when you’re not even trying!
Your a blessing Summer
Sounds like the little girl really enjoyed all the extra time you spent with her.
That is sure to help make her feel better.
No matter how many people or how few, we think your visits make a happy difference 🙂
Purrs,Georgia and Julie
Kitties are the best medicine