Happy November, y’all! Here in North Carolina, it’s raining cats and dogs. So I figure it’s a great time to share a puppy tale! Last week, Lexie (pictured here) and I participated for the first time in pet therapy. We, along with four other pets and their owners, visited a senior care facility. The reception we received was heartwarming and heartbreaking. Some residents were waiting for us in a room filled with couches and chairs. Others were patiently waiting for one of us to visit them in their rooms. There were smiles, smiles, and more smiles. And when it was time to go, we were asked again and again, “You’ll be back again soon, won’t you?” The answer to their questions were “Of course!” and “You bet!”
By sharing my experience, I’m hopeful you and your students will consider reaching out to seniors in a care facility near you. If you can picture the smiles an envelope filled with student-made drawings, doodles, and art projects or student-written stories are sure to create, I feel certain you will follow through. In addition, it’s such a valuable lesson for students in caring for others. Consider it, won’t you?
Please share your community outreach ideas and experiences!
Diane
I have had my kiddos make holiday cards for the seniors and sent them with the meals on wheels. Its so important that our little ones learn to pay attention to our seniors.
I have also seen pet therapy in action at the rehab my husband was in recovering from surgery. It puts the biggest smiles on everyone faces.