Dogs ease pandemic isolation for nursing home residents
New dog recruits are helping to expand the nursing home's pet therapy program, giving residents and staff physical comfort while human visitors are still restricted because of the pandemic. โTheyโve been on the floors bringing happiness and unconditional love to residents and staff alike.โThe dogs belong to staff members who bring them to work every day. Hebrew Home has numerous lifelike animatronic cats that purr and meow as residents hold them in their laps and stroke their fur. For some residents, the interaction can break down barriers and open communication and emotional expression, she said. โIt means a lot to me, makes me feel good when I pet the dogs,โ said Pagan, whoโs recovering from a stroke.