Cat Therapy Saturday March 3rd at Medilodge Nursing Home

Per my blog last week, this Saturday, March 3rd was our second visit to the Medilodge Nursing Home. When I arrived this weekend the Activities Director, “Lisa” was joyfully at the entrance to meet us. She said, “they are all waiting for you”! This was my second time at this Nursing home and once again someone excitingly greeted me. I got a burst of energy just meeting her. Just one of the rewards of Cat Therapy. 

She took Kali-Ma and me down the hall and as we turned the corner all the patients were lined up sitting in chairs waiting to see Kali-Ma.  I was not sure how Kali-Ma was going to handle all of that “love” at one time.  I was touched though seeing all of those people just waiting to see Kali-Ma. Another one of the rewards of Cat Therapy. I got goosebumps all over. 

We were in a very noisy area and there was a constant ‘beeping’ sound.  All the patients we talking at once about “what a pretty kitty”, “I want to pet her”, etc. Kali-Ma immediately reseeded to the back of her stroller. It was clear she was over stimulated. I had to think fast.

I asked for a chair and I put her in my lap. This allowed the patients to come to her one at a time. I also let Kali-Ma take a break and put her back in her stroller (her safe place) for ten minutes or so every thirty minutes. In the breaks that Kali-Ma took, I had an opportunity to interact with all the patients and get to know them. It all worked out wonderful!

The patients asked about Kali-Ma and I told them the story of us, which you can read here About Us,and how we found each other. They all listened very intently as if I was telling them the Christmas story. I felt honored to share it with them. As we got comfortable, the patients began to share their stories with me. 

Betty told me of the farm she was raised on and the kittens she had. Helen who is going to be 101 this year, told me of all the black and white cats she had, along with many other moments from her life. Kali-Ma remembered Barb from last week and even let Barb give her a kiss! There was Olive, Linda, Sandra, and Asmar, We all sat and talked. I cherished every single moment of it. There are rewards of Cat Therapy that you simply cannot find the words to express.

As it neared time to go Lisa, and Janet, the Restorative Aide, and I discussed how to make the next visit better. We could change the location to where it is less noisy for Kali-Ma, and change some other details. Cat Therapy is a learning curve as I am discovering, but Kali-Ma and I would not miss it for the world. We are overwhelmed by the love, and we are receiving so much more than we could ever give.