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Soft, furry therapy

Paws for People program serves to brighten the days of assisted living residences

and nursing homes. And it works.

A few minutes after noon on Monday in the multi-purpose room at Boulder Estates, a group of residents were eagerly awaiting a few four-legged feline visitors. A sign on the door to the room read, “Please knock, animals at play.” The cats’ arrival was a little delayed, but once they made an entrance and a few cat toys were tossed on the floor, the room was filled with laughter, cooing, playing and petting.

Paws for People, which involves animal therapy, started a few years ago, said Anna Pommier, an SMSU Social Work Club member in charge of the program this year. SMSU social work professor Rick Robinson would gather up some students, and they would take over some animals from the Marshall Pet Rescue to various assisted living facilities and nursing homes.

“Once we gathered the animals, we would bring them over to whichever nursing home we were visiting that day,” Pommier said. “Paws for People started as a way for our club to help the community. We always try to find new ways of bringing joy to not only Marshall, but also the surrounding areas as well.”

Pommier said Paws for People tries to visit each location at least once a month. It’s been currently visiting Boulder Estates, Morningside Heights and Heritage Pointe.

Robinson said Paws for People has become increasingly busy as the word spreads about the activity. Places like Heritage Pointe and Boulder Estates are always looking for activities for its clients, he said.

“And it’s pretty rarely that people don’t like animals,” he said. He said he thinks the clients like having the students visit as much as the animals. Paws for People has become a partnership with the social work program, Marshall Pet Rescue and whichever facility the group visits, he said.

Robinson said Paws for People started with independent living centers. When it started in the nursing homes, the students had to change things according to the clientele, he said.

“And that’s what social work is all about,” he said, and it’s been a good experience for the students.

Kittens Jose and Little Mac and adult cats Dottie and Brite came to Boulder Estates on Monday for a visit along with Robinson and the students. The cats wandered off in different directions as the residents and students tried to get their attention.

Pommier said the organization’s members chose the nursing homes and assisted living facilities because they knew that many of the individuals who live at these facilities once had pets in their past.

“We thought that since these individuals can’t have animals at their current homes that we could bring over the animals for the visit,” Pommier said. “The staff at these facilities were always open to the idea. They know how much joy not only the animals (bring) but also the interaction the students bring to the residents.”

A few minutes into the visit, the cats started coming up to the residents for some affection. Leone Pedersen started stroking Dottie’s ears and neck.

“You like the ears, don’t you?” Pedersen asked the black and white cat. “You like to get rubbed under your chin.”

Eventually the cats warmed up to the residents.

“Hello, there,” Joan Derynck said as a cat came up for a quick visit.

“Look at that,” Annabelle Claeys said as Little Mac bounced on by.

The black kitten had his share of fans on Monday afternoon.

“Oh, you’re so cute,” Vera Mohwinkel said to Little Mac. “I love them.”

“Oh, I love that little black kitty,” Pedersen said.

The residents love when Paws for People comes for visits, Pommier said.

“There are some cases where residents will explain to us about all the animals they grew up with,” Pommier said. “We even hear about personal stories as well. These interactions give us social work majors and sometimes other college majors the opportunity to work on our communication skills.”

Casi Hoekstra, director of tenant services at Boulder Estates, said the visits from Paws for People brightens so many people’s days.

“It’s wonderful for them,” Hoekstra said about the residents. “You can tell it touches their heart, brings something back.”

During the half-hour visit, the residents at Boulder Estate were thoroughly delighted.

“You want the yarn,” Derynck said to Brite as Pedersen tried to attract the cat’s attention with string.

“We have to entertain them, and they entertain us,” Derynck added.

“They’re so soft and loving,” Pedersen said.

Hoekstra said Paws for People has been great for the residents.

“We’re very blessed to have them come here,” Hoekstra said. “It’s incredible, the power of animals.”

Some of the benefits Pommier has noticed from bringing the animals to the different facilities is when they can bring joy to the residents.

“The facilities we visit do a great job of letting their residents interact during the day,” she said. “Paws for People adds to this and allows them to work on different stimuli by petting and playing with the animals. Another benefit is what Paws for People does for the animals.” The animals the students bring are available for adoption from the Marshall Pet Rescue. “By us getting these animals out of the rescue, even if for only an hour, it allows them to get noticed and possibly find a forever home.”

Robinson said Paws for People has been a great way for the animals to get better socialization with people before they get adopted.

Janice Robinson of Marshall Pet Rescue said the rescue finds Paws for People as valuable for the cats as it is for the residents. Rick Robinson said the animals have made a difference in memory care units and that the benefits go on for days.

“When it happens, it’s just amazing,” he said.

Robinson remembered when the group visited, and there was a woman who was non-verbal.

“We put an animal in her lap, she slowly came around,” he said. The woman started talking about her husband, their relationship and the animals they had, he said. “It was surprising. It’s certainly what you hope for, making a difference.”

Paws for People also teaches students how to properly care for animals, Robinson said.

Last semester, the SMSU softball team helped with Paws for People, Robinson said.

“We want other people to come and be part of this, they don’t have to be social work majors,” he said.

Pommier said the Social Work Club takes photos of the animals interacting with the residents and posts them on its Facebook page (SMSU Student Social Work Association).

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