Pets in Retirement Community

In our independent living section of our continuing care community, we allow our residents to move in with their pet. The policy is that once the pet is gone, that they do not replace it. (We really do not enforce it though.) We all know the value of residents and pets!

This week I have been lucky enough to be able to take our newly found and adopted 5 week old kitten into work with me. The first day the staff met him and a few residents that I've shared my love of cats (and all animals) with. The next day, a few more residents met him.... and today, day three of keeping him under my desk in a box, a lot of residents met him! If you remember that commercial for the shampoo, that says, "and you tell two friends and they tell two friends, and they tell two friends," that is what happened. It was amazing to see the joy and surprise in their faces when they saw such a small living creature, I thought one lady was going to cry she was so moved.

The residents want me to have a contest to name my family's newest addition. Not sure if my boss will let that happen..... we will see.

Today, I really just wanted to share how grateful I am that I am allowed to bring him to work (I have to bottle feed him every few hours) and how much joy animals can bring to the community.

Do you have a pet therapy program in your independent living community? Check out this recent article called Alone time with pets helps seniors. This might be something to consider!

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