LILY, CAROL AND NANCY Like a queen taking her place on a throne, Lily carefully settles herself onto Carol’s lap, just the perfect distance from Carol’s hand. Without pause, Carol begins petting this beautiful long-haired feline between the ears with soft, continuous strokes. Lily lies there quietly, gazing at Carol. Content and relaxed, you can feel their special connection.
“Lily is a treasure,” said Carol. “Her calico striping, amber eyes and soft white coat make her a magnificent creature. She’s majestic and so sweet. It’s such a treat when she comes by for a visit.” “Lily loves Carol,” said Nancy. “She almost jumps out of the van when we pull up at the residential facility where Carol lives. If I were to let loose of her leash, Lily would go directly to Carol’s front door.” “Cats are very much in demand,” added Nancy, who has been volunteering with The Elizabeth Hospice for several years. “I wish more people would have their cats certified as therapy pets. They bring comfort to patients and provide a ‘fur fix.’” The Pet Therapy Program is one of many free services offered by The Elizabeth Hospice. These programs are made possible by volunteers who generously donate their time and talent to caring for members of our community.
Health issues prevent Carol, a patient with The Elizabeth Hospice, from having her own pets but that hasn’t diminished her desire for their companionship. She has been a cat lover since childhood. The neighborhood cats knew to make their way to her family’s house where they received food and attention. When Lupita, the social worker on Carol’s care team, learned that Carol is a cat lover, she asked Carol if she’d like to meet Lily, a certified pet therapy cat, and Nancy, her human companion, who volunteer with The Elizabeth Hospice. Carol’s response was an enthusiastic “Yes.”
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