I visited the big hospital for this week’s therapy cat work. Josie, the other therapy cat in our program, also was there. We started off in the Cancer Center. While Josie visited the patient getting chemo, I sat on a table in the waiting room, did a couple of tricks, and got petted a lot! Then it was my turn to visit the patient in the chemo room. While I was there, a really loud bell sounded and people started cheering. This is what happens when someone finishes their round of treatments. Josie and I saw him in the elevator when we were on our way to the main building.
Next we stopped in Pediatrics, where we had a couple of girls to visit. I started off with the older one, who was in bed, and so happy to see me! While I visited with her, my human talked with her mother about how to go about getting an emotional support animal. Although I’m not one, my human has learned enough about them to explain the steps to make sure the paperwork is in order.
The second girl was much younger, just about five and a half. She sat in the playroom with some paints and paper, and I supervised. Well, I did as much as I could — my human kept stopping me from putting my nose in the paint or stepping on the paper. So she made it a little difficult, but I still had a nice visit.
Finally, we stopped off at first floor rehab, where Josie and I saw a couple of older male patients. Usually Josie and I do our visits separately, since the rules are that the therapy animals need to be separated by at least 6 feet. But one room was large enough that I could relax on the bed with the patient while Josie sat over on his wife’s lap and we were still far enough apart. That was a nice visit.
As you can see, we didn’t have a lot of patients this visit. But we made sure we had quality time with each one of them.
- My Busy, Noisy, Messy, Good Therapy Cat Day
- Therapy Cat Quality Over Quantity
- Hospital Staff Cat Therapy
Your work with the patients and families is appreciated more than sometimes they can tell you Summer…..it’s a special thing you to with your Human!
Hugs, Teddy
I wish there had been therapy kitties (or even dogs) when I had my 16 months of chemo treatments, years ago. So when I was able, I just walked around pushing my IV pole, and visited the others in similar circumstances, (I didn’t feel too awful and I was bored) Later the nurses told me how the other peeps loved when I said hello or even chatted with them. I guess I was the therapy guest patient!
Chemo down time is such a rather lonely affair to endure over and over again. Hey, no one rang a bell when I was done!?! Maybe I should let them know about that.
I’m proud of you and Josie, Summer. This is by far your best job. Helping people that are sick cheer up is a noble endeavor
TW gets jealous when she reads about you visiting with cancer patients. She could have used you today in chemo or the waiting room. If this hospital is like MSK, patients spend most of their time in the waiting room. Sigh. She remembers ringing the bell when her radiation ended but the chemo will go on forever
That sounds like a totally wonderful visit sweet Summer!
I just love reading about your visits, Summer!
You and your human spread so much joy. I wish there was a therapy cat at the cancer center my sister goes to. XO
You always make the days better for the patients you visit.
You could raise money for charity with nose-print art, Summer!
I LOVED reading this and I also am so glad you and Josie got to be together! AND that you had a great time.
I always like hearing about the good you and your human do with these therapy visits. I’m sure it’s a very bright spot in their day as they undergo treatment. I’m glad to hear you and Josie were there together, even though you have to stay apart.
You and Josie see each other fairly often at the “visits”.
It’s probably nice to see another therapy cat working
with you. Another good visit for the patients.
So pawsome that you do these visits Summer!
I bet the people you visit feel so much better when you come and that is bound to help with
their healing and wellbeing 🙂
Purrs, Julie
Another great visit, Summer!
Another great visit! It was nice that you and Josie were able to visit in the same room. Double the kitty love!
We are sure that you really brightened the day of each patient you spent time with, Summer! We always love reading about your therapy visits.
Purrs,
The Chans