The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
It’s puppy love
Kirtland Rehabilitation and Care Center fostering 2 pups
Puppies have invaded the Kirtland Rehabilitation and Care Center.
The Kirtland facility has been fostering two sibling puppies until they can find their forever homes in three to four weeks.
Jenny Calkins, the activity director for the facility, came across some information from the Animal Protection League asking for help finding fostering homes for animals. That is when the light bulb went off for her, and she knew a great place that could help.
Immediately, Calkins thought of how this could be a significant benefit to the residents at Kirtland.
“I think it has brought a ton of joy to them,” she said. “We have people lined up in the morning to see the puppies; it’s so nice to see.”
Victoria Plotner, executive director of the facility, spoke to the rise in morale among the residents since the puppies have come around.
“The residents don’t get to see a lot of new faces, or pets for that matter, so bringing in the fosters and knowing that we get to keep them, even just if it was one day, it made such a big impact on the residents and staff,” she said
Calkins and Plotner stated their main goal was to continue the program as long as they can for their residents.
“Depression rates can be very high when you are in long-term care, so anything we can do to perk them up and make them feel like every day can be different, is what we strive to do,” Plotner said.
“I think it has bought a ton of joy to them,” she said. “We have people lined up in the morning to see the puppies; it’s so nice to see.” — Jenny Calkins, activity director for Kirtland Rehabilitation and Care Center
The facility’s latest Facebook post about the pups has over 400 likes and 500 shares. Calkins and Plotner hope this can start a new trend and encourage other facilities to engage in the practice of using therapy dogs.
“It’s bought a lot of positivity for long-term care in our community,” Calkins stated
Plotner did not shy away about some of the misconceptions of long-term care in nursing homes, in regards to elderly abuse. She hopes for more projects like this to break that stereotype.
“All we can do is try to change that misconception because nursing homes are greatly stigmatized because of issues like elder abuse that occurs in some facilities...,” she said.
“It’s about bringing joy to our staff and the residents any way we can, whether its with activities, food, and now even puppies. Our company’s goal is to go above and beyond, and that is what we strive for every day.”