Comox's Providence Living at the Views hosted a group of dignitaries last week, which brought smiles to many of the residents' faces.
The CATS Cuddle Crew is a heartwarming weekly program where playful, affectionate kittens visit local seniors in The Views by Providence Living in Comox for cozy cuddles and cheerful companionship. These small paws bring big joy鈥攐ffering comfort, connection, and moments of pure happiness in every visit. Because sometimes, all it takes is a purr and a paw to brighten a whole day.
The residents got to spend the afternoon hanging out with kittens, as a result of a recently-formed partnership between Providence Living at the Views with CATS (Cat Advocates Teaching and Saving Society).
"With soft fur, tiny paws, and hearts full of love, these little visitors bring connection, comfort, and smiles wherever they go," a release from CATS says. "Whether it鈥檚 lap time or playtime, The Cuddle Crew always brings the joy."
The event was a win-win for or residents and baby felines. The residents will have frequent visits with kittens as part of the Home for Us (H4U) care model that strives to make life as home-like as possible for them. In turn, the kitten-to-human interactions will help socialize the baby cats who were rescued by the bigger CATS.
The CATS partnership with Providence Living at The Views in Comox arose from a personal connection. The son of one of the residents is involved with CATS and saw first-hand what a pet visit meant to his mother there. He wanted to share that experience with other residents and helped initiate the beginning of a beautiful partnership.
This is not Providence Living at The Views鈥� first foray into furry friends. During the spring, long-term care home staff and residents welcomed baby chicks and ducks from a local hobby farm, and goats from a staff member鈥檚 farm and music teacher鈥檚 home. Therapy dogs from St. John Ambulance Canada are a regular presence at Providence Living at The Views as well as several family pets who pop by weekly.
"We welcome any kind of animal visit here at the views," said Kelley Romeril, Providence Living鈥檚 director of site operations. "This spring alone we've had chicks, ducks, we quit to visit horses, we've had goats come visit. We know that animals play a big role in people's lives. It's a part of their day well lived. So, anytime we have an opportunity to bring animals into the facility, we do."
Staff members bringing pets to work has been an ongoing activity at Providence Living at The Views. And residents have relished an opportunity to day-trip to a local therapeutic horse farm where they made friends with some larger mammals. This summer, residents will also get to meet some miniature horses.
Pet visits align with the made-in-B.C. Home for Us care model in place at Providence Living at The Views, which will be adopted by other Providence Living long-term care homes. The care model鈥檚 emphasis is on supporting seniors with meaning and purpose and providing opportunities for joy and a day well-lived. Pet visits meet a vital need for comfort and happiness for many of the residents.
Romeril says that pet visits will, in some capacity, be part of every Providence Living build, including the new long-term care home that broke ground in Prince George last month.
鈥淲e will continue to foster relationships with community partners to support these types of opportunities and will make it a priority to find similar partnerships in other Providence Living communities,鈥� said Romeril.
