Published by: Ingrid King. Last Updated on: November 1, 2022 by Crystal Uys
The Helen Sanders Cat Protection and Welfare Society in Seal Beach, CA has a very special program: the Kitty Comfort and Therapy Program brings cats and kittens into an assisted living facility.
The program was inspired by beloved children’s book author Priscially Maltbie. Maltbie, a lifelong cat lover, spent the last years of her life in an assisted living facility. Since she couldn’t have cats of her own there, CatPAWS took some of their rescue cats to visit her. Maltbie passed away in 2014. The program has continued to this day.
There is plenty of research available that shows how much pets can benefit humans. Pet parents are less likely to feel lonely, they cope better with stress and recover from illness faster. One study even found that spending just 15 minutes spent with an animal initiates hormonal changes in the brain, dropping stress levels and increasing serotonin (the “feel-good” hormone) levels.
“We were so glad to be able to resume these visits just about a month ago after of course having to suspend them in March 2020,” said Deborah Felin-Magaldi of CatPAWS.
For more information about CatPAWS and to support their program, visit https://helensanderscatpaws.com/kitty-therapy/.
All photos provided by Deborah Felin-Magaldi, used with permission
About the author
Ingrid King is an award-winning author, former veterinary hospital manager, and veterinary journalist who is passionate about cats.
Did so appreciate this newsletter and particularly your reference to Priscilla Maltbie and Zoey. She was such a lover of cats and an inspiration to all who knew her. Thank you for keeping her sweet memory alive!
i used to take my dog to the assisted living place where my mother stayed. they loved seeing my dog and she loved having everyone pet her. we now have a cat cafe in my area and my local pet store has adoption/rescues that come in on a weekly basis with cats.
I love that they are doing this! My therapy cat visits to patients and residents really helps lots, I hear.
I love this idea.