PAT CAT FOR LIFE
Pretty Daisy May has been a PAT cat all her life! Once she was old enough to volunteer — at nine months old — she started visiting older people in Heathland Court care home in Wimbledon, London.The lilac tabby Birman has been going twice a week to cheer up residents — and now she is nearly nine!
Her owner, Clare d’Adhemar, says Daisy May thrives on her visits:“She is literally amazing. When we visit the home, we will firstly go and visit the residents who are poorly and so are in their rooms. Daisy May will sit on their beds — she is so chilled and cuddly — and loves to be stroked or nuzzle in and give them Daisy May kisses.
“One time, there was a lady who was 108 and her body and her sight had failed her but her mind was as sharp as a pin. Sadly, she had outlived her family and friends, but we were able to visit her as much as she wanted.When we visited her face came to life and she started chatting to us while Daisy May gently lay beside her with her paws on her hands.”
After individual visits, Daisy May will walk to the shared parts of the care home and
walk between residents, getting a stroke and a cuddle here and there. “She loves the attention,” Clare added.
In fact, Daisy May — named after a favourite aunt of Clare’s
— is a real extrovert and travels all over with Clare, on the train, the car, the bus, and the tube.“Nothing ever troubles her — she’s never hissed or even put her claws out,” added the semi-retired nursery nurse.
Sadly, Covid-19 meant that the pair’s volunteering has had to be restricted.“I have underlying health issues so I have had to shield for the past 16 months — and I am no longer a spring chicken,” explained Clare, 77.“But then Daisy May has been there for me during that time and been my therapy cat at home. I’ve had problems with my mental health too during the pandemic and she has been like my own little fluffy nurse. I’m hoping that we can get back to regular visits soon.”
Clare added:“I have always been so grateful that Daisy May has been there for me, but during Covid she really made the difference to my health and happiness.”