January 10, 2001
Cute and cuddly caregivers
Dogs, cats, birds important members of Grand Traverse medical care facilities
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
If Bonnie Edward sleeps in late, she has a walking alarm clock to tell her so.
When the Grand Traverse Pavilions resident does not get out of bed in time to suit Dolly, a cockatiel who lives outside Edward's room, the squawking begins. Dolly has even been known to hop to the floor and walk into the room and find Edward, ready for a kiss and some shoulder time.
For Edward, who moved to the facility last February, her feathered friend is a welcome buddy.
"This is the first time I have ever had a bird for a pet," said Edward, who has also adopted some squirrels and birds and feeds them in the courtyard just outside her windows. "I take her everywhere I go."
"Dolly is a great companion and we go visit her friend down on Dogwood and they squawk at each other."
Pets and nursing homes are a natural match, with the animals providing warmth and friendship, love and diversion to the residents. Facilities around Traverse City encourage live-in fish, cats, bunnies, dogs, birds and hamsters to give their residents a homey atmosphere.
Two cats have the run of Tendercare, which also has fish and birds that live onsite. In addition, staff bring in their dogs during their shifts, one midnight nurse brings two in every time she works.
Nursing director Linda James brings in her small dog, Lili, each day. A very social, loving dog, many residents respond to Lili and sing and pet her. Lili and a golden retriever, Cubby roam the halls every day, visiting their favorite residents to snuggle or beg for a treat.
"We use the dogs in pet therapy," James said. "We have a resident who was in a coma but he would wake up to the sensation of Lili giving him kisses."
"They love the touch of the animals, especially in the dementia hall."
Bortz Health Care has birds and fish, plus volunteers bring in a cat and a dog to visit every week. The facility had a hamster but he died last week and staff plan to buy a new one soon. Activities director Theresa Lance, T.R., has seen many positive aspects to the pets living there.
"The response to animals and children is phenomenal," Lance said. "People who are nonverbal and may not make eye contact or respond to people will respond to an animal. You bring in a child or an animal and their eyes light up and they reach out and want to touch."
Besides Dolly and a variety of other birds, the Grand Traverse Pavilions has a live-in dog named Sparky, a lop-eared bunny and numerous fish. During the day, Sparky and the birds have the run of the place, though the birds' longer flying feathers are kept clipped.
The Pavilions is an Eden Alternative facility, following a model of care championed by Dr. Bill Thomas that focuses on making their long-term care residents feel at home, not part of an institution. From neighborhoods and intergenerational activities to plants and pets, Pavilions staff work to create a homey atmosphere.
"People ask is it worth it, to have these pets and clean up after them," said Melissa Sole, chief operating officer of the Grand Traverse Pavilions. "We had to buy new brass planters because the birds were pecking on the wicker and there is an area of wallpaper we have to replace because the birds tear at it. But that is a small price to pay for what the residents get out of it."
Sole noted that before the Medical Care Facility moved to the Pavilions site three years ago, many of these concepts were already being implemented. However, since she and other staff members attended Eden Alternative training sessions and ongoing support meetings, it has helped spread the concepts throughout all aspects of care.
"Being an Eden facility is still incremental, it is not a thing you accomplish and then you are done," Sole noted. "This stuff is not new, Dr. Thomas just packaged it and gave us a term and validation that this was the way things could be done."