I held a kitten today!

[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!!

[carole]

Aww Bro i am so happy for you, i know how much it means to have my three girls to pat whenever i am feeling low,stressed or just needing to cuddle them, not that they love their cuddles that much, but they endure it, I tell them hey that is your job here you know, after all the good care i give you all, lol, willow sounds delightful.

I do hope you can get a group of you together and organise some regular contact with some kitties, i can tell it has done you the world of good,i can read the excitement here on your posts.

[3Catcondo]

That is great. I think it's funny that it was a girl orange and white, and named willow. My youngest who just turned a year is Willow, and you guessed it, she's orange and white. Orange kitties have the best dispositions. My older male white and orange passed the test at the SPCA for a therapy cat. But prepping him for visits was expensive w/ having to treat all of them...I couldn't afford it so he hasn't been ye.

[Randi]

David, I'm glad to hear you finally got to hold a kitty again. Hope the place will agree to have cats living there, it sure would put everyone in a better mood.