Oreo, a homeless cat, has taken up residence at a medical center in Cleveland, Ohio. The center serves residents of a nursing home. Not only has the cat found a comfortable home, but it also provides psychological help.
“She’s here as a family member. She helps residents and employees, and we just love her,” said administrator Carmen Delgado.
Most older people used to have pets, so the presence of Oreo evokes pleasant memories. “Elderly people come to see and pet the cat. It’s like they’re coming home,” Carmen shared her observations.
Center staff often take pictures of the cat: Oreo at the front desk, Oreo on the bench, Oreo in the wheelchair.
According to psychotherapist Jay P. Garnet, pets help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and increase social interaction and physical activity in older people.
“Dogs and cats live in the present,” explains the therapist. “Older people often worry about tomorrow. Animals don’t have that. They embody a sense of ‘here and now,’ and that tends to be passed on to humans.”
