We're taking a blog detour today in honor of therapy pets who though some of the simplest of ways are making a big impact on the lives people in need of a friendly purr or a furry friend.
Hero pets are present during our most difficult human moments – war, illness, disaster, and loneliness. Sometimes it's the simplest gestures that make the biggest difference in somebody's day. Even a soft purr can comfort a wounded or lonely heart.
This month, the Petco Foundation is honoring these "Helping Heroes" and the organizations that support these animals, many of which are adopted from shelters and rescues. We'd like to introduce you to three very special hero pets – three therapy cats that are making a difference in the lives of people from all walks of life.
Meet Basil
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| Photo Courtesy of Tina Parkhurst |
We first got to know Basil and her therapy partner, Tina Parkhurst, through Facebook. Seeing their photos and reading their heartwarming stories and experiences never fails to bring sunshine to our day. But the sunshine we experience from afar pales in comparison to the warmth they spread through their therapy visits.
Basil and Tina serve seniors mostly. Each week they visit three local facilities in their Portland, Oregon area. Once a month, they also visit one corporate office. It's the seniors that touch Tina's heart the most though. "So many of the seniors we visit have nobody to come see them, or if they do, it isn't very often." She loves seeing their faces light up when they see Basil. "Their feeling of love and gratitude is so sincere and warm, it helps me get through the week."
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| Photos Courtesy of Tina Parkhurst |
We can only imagine how hard it is for seniors living in a nursing home or assisted living environment where they no longer have the companionship and love of the pets they once had. Being able to sleep peacefully with a kitty curled up on your lap once again is something many residents probably thought they'd never be able to experience again.
The More You Give, The More You Receive
Tina gives all the credit to Basil. "Basil makes it all possible. When a human walks in alone, some part of us wonders what they want. Basil has no ulterior motives and people know it, so they open up instantly."
“I wake up smiling on Sundays now because I know I’m going to get to see Basil.” ~Basil's Friend
One day in our Facebook feed we read a post that Tina wrote. It really touched us. She said she felt as though Basil had given her life purpose. That adopting her was somehow meant to be. There's no question that Basil is a very special kitty. And Tina is a very special human.
Basil and Tina are affiliated with Pet Partners.
Meet Summer
If you are lover of cat blogs, you'll certainly recognize Summer, from the award-winning SparkleCat.com. Every day on her blog, Summer shares her adventures as a therapy cat and offers up both hilarious and very sound advice to cats and the people who love them.
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| Photo Courtesy of Janiss Garza |
When visiting the bed-ridden patients, Janiss will lay a sheet over them and let Summer join them if they'd like. "She immediately snuggles up to the patient, does healing purrs and makes happy paws. I did not teach her to do that. It's something she came up with on her own." Janiss has heard from other therapy teams and organizations that somehow therapy animals just know what to do. "I guess it's a sign that they were meant for this work."
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| Photo Courtesy of Janiss Garza |
Fun & High Fives with Troubled Teens
Summer and Janiss also visit a pair of homes for boys who are either in trouble with the law or have somehow wound up in the court system. Summer has some pretty fun tricks up her furry sleeves for these visits. "At our most recent visit, she gave one of the boys a high five for a piece of fried chicken and he was blown away!" They have also visited college campuses like USC and Cal State Los Angeles. Though many people associate therapy animals with dogs, Summer proved that cats are where it's at. One of the students working on the USC therapy pet program told Janiss just this week that when Summer visited last year, she drew 100 more students than with just the dogs, and they stayed longer!
Summer and Janiss also visit a pair of homes for boys who are either in trouble with the law or have somehow wound up in the court system. Summer has some pretty fun tricks up her furry sleeves for these visits. "At our most recent visit, she gave one of the boys a high five for a piece of fried chicken and he was blown away!" They have also visited college campuses like USC and Cal State Los Angeles. Though many people associate therapy animals with dogs, Summer proved that cats are where it's at. One of the students working on the USC therapy pet program told Janiss just this week that when Summer visited last year, she drew 100 more students than with just the dogs, and they stayed longer!
Summer and Janiss are affiliated with Love On 4 Paws.
Meet Mokey
Patty Guthrie, had worked with both therapy cats and dogs. From the very beginning, she was amazed at how gentle her furry, black Mokey was with people. So she began by training him with a harness and leash, taking him places and helping him get used to all sizes of dogs and people of all ages.
Meet Mokey
Patty Guthrie, had worked with both therapy cats and dogs. From the very beginning, she was amazed at how gentle her furry, black Mokey was with people. So she began by training him with a harness and leash, taking him places and helping him get used to all sizes of dogs and people of all ages.
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| Photo Courtesy of Patty Guthrie and the Petco Foundation |
Now Mokie is nine-years-old and with Patty by his side, regularly visits foster homes, convalescent homes, high schools, colleges and libraries, and the Ronald McDonald House. He travels in the comfort of a cozy cat stroller and often hops out to cuddle with the people he visits.
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| Photo Courtesy of Patty Guthrie and the Petco Foundation |
When he visits libraries, children often engage by reading to him. It sure looks like Mokey is an awesome listener. “I used to be scared of black cats, but he is adorable,” said an 11-year-old girl in a thank you note. She appeared frightened of Mokey at first, but within 20 minutes was holding him in her lap. Mokey listened to her read a story at the library.
Just to hold a cat can change a person's world. A resident in a home for people with disabilities cried on Mokey's fur, “I love cats. I haven’t held a cat in years.”
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| Photo Courtesy of Patty Guthrie and the Petco Foundation |
Best Friends
Mokey and Patty have made more than 350 therapy visits over the past nine years. "Mokey is my best pal and my dearest friend." They are affiliated with Love on a Leash and Furry Friends Pet Assisted Therapy Services.The Petco Foundation has already invested more than $10 million to support these organizations and hopes to raise $2.5 million more to support service, therapy, and working animals by sharing stories of some of these amazing heroes and raising awareness about the impact they have on our lives.
You can help make a difference too, by donating online or at your local Petco store October 7 through October 29, 2017. To learn more about the Foundation and the Helping Heros campaign, visit their website here.
