Adorable Kittens & Seniors Come Together and Help Each Other
Both animal shelters and elderly care facilities do incredible work, answering major demands with often limited resources. And when you put the two together? Compassion simply overflows.
That is certainly the case in this look at the collaboration between Pima Animal Care Center and Catalina Springs Memory Care Center, which facilitates mutually beneficial, loving relationships between newborn kittens and senior humans. Each side of this partnership has particular needs. For the animal shelter, their small staff struggles to keep up with the demands of newborn kittens, who need round-the-clock care, including bottle feedings every few hours. And for the senior center, companionship and simple yet engaging activities are among the residents' ongoing needs. You may see where this is going...
The folks living at Catalina Springs Memory Care Center provide wonderful foster care for Pima's tiny, needy kittens; and the warm furry animals bring joy and even the recollection of lost memories to their human companions. Caretakers from both facilities recognize how uniquely perfect this partnership has been.
"This was by far the most special thing I've ever been involved with," says Pima's Karen Hollish. She also notes that because these tiny cats receive so much love, touch, and socialization during this visits to Catalina Springs, they are extra prepared to adjust to live with their adoptive families.
The constant love and contact not only benefits the kittens but the seniors too. The Catalina Springs Memory Care center serves the needs of individuals with Alzheimer's disease, dementia and other forms of memory loss. The contact with the kittens helps residents remember specific memories from their childhood, which is not always easy for the patients at the memory center.
"This is like the next level for us." raves Karen Hollish from PACC. "This is escalating out into the community and not only benefiting the pets in our care, but benefiting people. This is by far the most amazing professional experience I've ever had."
Whatch and see how this partnership has become truly one for the ages!
This original video is produced by Tracy Chevrier and shot/edited by David Icely.
To learn more about the Senior Center, visit them at: https://www.facebook.com/hooplaha/
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