I held a kitten today!

[Pawsitive Thinking]

That is wonderful - hope they make it a regular visit from now on. It is hard to be without animals when you're used to having them around

[moosmom]

I would get a bunch residents together that like the pet therapy with a cat, to sign a petition saying they would like it as part of their therapy. How can they say no, providing the cat/kitten has a clean bill of health.

I hope it happens again, honey. Cuz I've never heard such happiness in your voice.

[catmandu]

That would be the thing I would miss the most too, is having the companionship of a Cat.
I will see if any of My Found Ctas would be suitable for that once my One Fine Day comes.
I think Tubster Panther would make a Great Cat Visitor.

[momcat]

This is great to hear! My Mom was in a nursing home that had pet visitors on a regular basis, both dogs and cats. With many of the residents, seeing a cat sitting in their lap purring while being petted or a dog next to the wheelchair while having his ears scritched was like being in heaven. To see the looks on the residents' faces was something else, happy and relaxed. And the residents would get so excited when a cat or dog came towards them. Even better, the visits didn't have time limits. The pets were there until each and every resident received a visit and often kisses from their kitty or puppy friend as well.

There's a lot to be said for pet therapy. Studies have shown the positive effects for the sick, injured, and elderly. A few years back, Soncat taught therapeutic horseback riding to physically and developmentally disabled children. It has been found that sitting on a horse who is walking stimulates the same muscles that would be used if the child was walking on his own.

I do hope those in charge will seriously consider bringing the animals in as a regular activity. Be sure to let your PT friends know if there's a petition we can sign or a letter we can send to support your cause!

[davidpizzica]

This is great to hear! My Mom was in a nursing home that had pet visitors on a regular basis, both dogs and cats. With many of the residents, seeing a cat sitting in their lap purring while being petted or a dog next to the wheelchair while having his ears scritched was like being in heaven. To see the looks on the residents' faces was something else, happy and relaxed. And the residents would get so excited when a cat or dog came towards them. Even better, the visits didn't have time limits. The pets were there until each and every resident received a visit and often kisses from their kitty or puppy friend as well.

There's a lot to be said for pet therapy. Studies have shown the positive effects for the sick, injured, and elderly. A few years back, Soncat taught therapeutic horseback riding to physically and developmentally disabled children. It has been found that sitting on a horse who is walking stimulates the same muscles that would be used if the child was walking on his own.

I do hope those in charge will seriously consider bringing the animals in as a regular activity. Be sure to let your PT friends know if there's a petition we can sign or a letter we can send to support your cause!

For me personally, it felt very good to pet a kitty after 8 months and I think pet therapy will do wonders for the older residents here.

[lvpets2002]

Oh yes David I so aggree too.. Many Congrats with the kitten & maybe they will let the baby come stay.. Keep all paws crossed..

For me personally, it felt very good to pet a kitty after 8 months and I think pet therapy will do wonders for the older residents here.

[katladyd]

Get a group of residents together and state your case. Some people get nothing from dogs and cats really help them. A cat on the premises can do no harm and so much good. Best of luck convincing the Powers-That-Be of this!!