It's no secret that spending some time with a soft, cuddly animal can lift spirits, and SCRAPS volunteer Sandi Connolly gets to see it happen every time she makes her monthly visits with some of Moose Jaw’s seniors.
Connolly is the lucky person who facilitates the SCRAPS pet therapy program, which the non-profit organization has been offering for about three years.
Once a month, SCRAPS volunteers choose a few of the adoptable, attention-loving cats currently in their care and take them to visit one of the three senior care facilities currently participating in the program — retirement homes Mulberry Estates and Crescent Park Retirement Villa, and long-term care facility Providence Place.
“People will pet them or hold them if they wish, or sometimes they just like to watch them play,” said Connolly.
Each visit features a new crew of cats, from kittens who are a month old to senior cats who enjoy being around people. All of the therapy cats are vaccinated and healthy, and ready to be in a busy social situation.
For Connolly, she finds the visits a great chance to socialize the rehabilitated cats and to bring some joy into the lives of these residents — many of whom perhaps had to give up a beloved pet when they moved into their current address.
“Pet therapy if such a rewarding thing to do for seniors, or for anyone,” said Connolly. “Everyone has a story, everyone had a dog or a cat at some point in their life, so they enjoy the hour, some more than others.”
One resident at Crescent Park Retirement Villa is still a SCRAPS volunteer, growing catnip in her room and knitting toys for the kitties.
SCRAPS is always looking for ways to blend their cats into the community, and the pet therapy program really showcases the journey of improvement many of these cats have gone through.
“It's really wonderful considering these animals have come so far, and they give so much pleasure to seniors,” said Anne Marciszyn, SCRAPS coordinator. “[These cats] are healthy and happy and engaging, and it's such a contrast from where they started.”
This program really highlights the benefits of having a cat around, said both Marciszyn and Connolly, which is especially important as the temperatures drop.
“This time of year is really hard for us, there's so many cats out there that are needing to be in the warmth,” said Connolly. “We're always getting calls and we try to do as much as we can but this time of year, we worry about the ones that don't get in.”
SCRAPS works year-round taking care of the stray cat population in Moose Jaw, and seeing those rehabilitated strays making connections with community members is a definite success for the organization.
“All those cats who were nobodies out on the street are now actually giving back to people in nursing homes in the city,” said Marciszyn. “They just bring a lot of joy.”
SCRAPS currently has about 40 cats available for adoption, both adult cats and kittens, who are featured at both Pet Valu and the SCRAPS 9 Lives Boutique in the Town 'n' Country Mall.
