Having read so many sad postings on TP, I thought you may be interested in a recent happy event.
Last w/e my daughter, son-in-law, grand daughter Zoe and their dog Neo (a Samoyd - he looks like a cuddly polar bear) visited my wife at her EMI care home. Although family carers and visitors are encouraged to bring pets with them, it is rare to see any. So I suggested to Zoe (she is 11) that we introduce Neo to some of the residents. In no time at all we were surrounded by residents and carers alike and began to feel like the pied piper as we progressed along the corridor.
Almost without exception, (just one or two were a little nervious) the residents loved their contact with Neo and he revelled in the attention he received. In particular, some of the bed bound residents who had the peace and serenity of their rooms invaded, appeared to appreciate the visit as much as anyone. Some, who had previously seemed lost in their own private worlds blossomed into smiles with pats and strokes for Neo. In all we spent almost 2 hours doing the rounds on 2 floors (visiting around 30-35 residents).
The happiest point I think for us, was when we visited one lady who complete with zimmer frame and was blind as well, had tears in her eyes with the emotion and pleasure of the moment. We visited her twice.
It was humbling to see how much happiness was derived by the residents from such a simple thing as a visit from Neo and Zoe. Neo, who can be a handful at times was a model of good behaviour and Zoe who in the past has been a little 'phased' by some of the resident's appearance or behaviour, became relaxed and happy. Me, well I was almost overcome with emotion, but enjoyed it immensely.
Last w/e my daughter, son-in-law, grand daughter Zoe and their dog Neo (a Samoyd - he looks like a cuddly polar bear) visited my wife at her EMI care home. Although family carers and visitors are encouraged to bring pets with them, it is rare to see any. So I suggested to Zoe (she is 11) that we introduce Neo to some of the residents. In no time at all we were surrounded by residents and carers alike and began to feel like the pied piper as we progressed along the corridor.
Almost without exception, (just one or two were a little nervious) the residents loved their contact with Neo and he revelled in the attention he received. In particular, some of the bed bound residents who had the peace and serenity of their rooms invaded, appeared to appreciate the visit as much as anyone. Some, who had previously seemed lost in their own private worlds blossomed into smiles with pats and strokes for Neo. In all we spent almost 2 hours doing the rounds on 2 floors (visiting around 30-35 residents).
The happiest point I think for us, was when we visited one lady who complete with zimmer frame and was blind as well, had tears in her eyes with the emotion and pleasure of the moment. We visited her twice.
It was humbling to see how much happiness was derived by the residents from such a simple thing as a visit from Neo and Zoe. Neo, who can be a handful at times was a model of good behaviour and Zoe who in the past has been a little 'phased' by some of the resident's appearance or behaviour, became relaxed and happy. Me, well I was almost overcome with emotion, but enjoyed it immensely.
Last edited: