My Siamese visiting people in retirement homes.

[NeoMaxiZoomDweebie]

Ages ago I read a thing where a lady took her dog to visit people in retirement homes. My Siamese is so sociable and confident that I keep thinking he'd like to pop in on a home and be petted.

I know that it's probably a silly idea...some residents may not like it or have allergies...do any cats ever do this?

Siamese are SO sociable and love being stroked...would it work?

[OverTheFieldsAndFarAway]

What a brilliant idea. Oh my God, they would love him, I remember my Siamese was so gentle and loved to be petted by anyone. I think it would brighten up many people's lives. Best idea I've heard in a long time. Let us know how you get on.

[cozietoesie]

My own experience of my Siamese boys, over many years, is that they may well be sociable in their own environment (although many aren't sociable with strangers even there) but they'd be very unlikely to be happy in a strange place with completely strange people other than you. What is he like at the vets, for instance?

(My dogs have always been very different - the problem with them is stopping them from trying to make friends with everyone they see/meet regardless of who that might be.)

I wouldn't do it, myself.

[OverTheFieldsAndFarAway]

Mine loved going visiting at neighbours, he used to sit watching tv in different houses. They all loved him.n

[NeoMaxiZoomDweebie]

He's fine at the vets and when strangers come to the house he always appears and talks to them until they talk back or stroke him. I think he genuinely likes people...I might talk to the local place and then maybe do an experimental visit....we could nip him over...in his carrier...it's literally down the street so no car needed...and if he seems happy in the reception area, I could take him to see the residents who were interested.

He's SO stupidly affectionate it would save me stroking the bugger all day!

[NeoMaxiZoomDweebie]

overthe fields yes mine is very gentle too...he's never put ONE claw out to anyone. Even when he got stuck in the attic and was terrified, he let me carry him down the ladder where most cats would have scratched...

[PuppyMonkey]

My mum just moved into a nursing home yesterday and I can't tell you how delighted she was when she saw they had a cat. Me too.

[NeoMaxiZoomDweebie]

Oh that's decided me Puppy I suppose nursing homes with cats are a rarity! Animals are so important for people's wellbeing aren't they? I mean as a cat lover I can't imagine not getting a fur-fix now and then...

[OverTheFieldsAndFarAway]

Neo, I think they are so emotionally intelligent, mine was anyway. He knew who was sad etc and would want to comfort them. We had a guest staying who had been through an horrific event and was in a bad way, my boy insisted on getting in bed with her every night until she was asleep, he would come and say goodnight mum and then got back in bed with my guest. She said he saved her........special boy.

[NeoMaxiZoomDweebie]

Oh yes totally relate to that! Mine sleeps in bed, between DH and I every night but if DD has a nightmare or is upset, he goes in and gets on the top bunk with her!

He has also warned me that my younger DD has woken up...I was in the garden which is very long one evening and he came running out meowing to let me know she'd got out of bed! He did the Lassie thing of running in the direction he wanted me to go and meowing madly till I followed!

[Manchesterhistorygirl]

This is what you're thinking of.

www.petsastherapy.org/

[OverTheFieldsAndFarAway]

I think unless you have had a Siamese in your life you cannot appreciate how fabulous they are. Sadly I lost my boy, he could never be replaced but maybe one day I might get another.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Ive had nursing homes that I work in who have pet cats, most residents like them but some are very anti cat and due to dementia will lash out at the cats.

I'd start at a residential home first not a nursing home.

Pat dogs are great, I love fussing pat dogs.

[JumpingJackSprat]

I second pets as therapy ive never used them but if i had a suitable pet i would volunteer :)

[xigris]

He can come and visit me? I think it sounds like a great idea, I love Siamese

[WhispersOfWickedness]

Can't hurt to ask

I love Siameses. We had a Siamese cross when I was a teenager and she used to meet me at the bus stop from school and berate me all the way home

[Nexus6]

Amazing idea. My siamese that I had growing up used to love going to the vets (well actually used to love goings on a car journey!) siameses are basically the dogs of the cat world haha.

I'm sure if you got in contact with somewhere local they'd be happy for you to pop round. Maybe if you start with a smaller group in a quiter area and build it up from there?

[Slavetothechild]

This I so odd I have been considering enrolling my Siamese as a pat cat !!! I convinced myself I was daft but now I may consider.......bring on the mese invasion :)

[NeoMaxiZoomDweebie]

Oh thanks all...it's just so tempting...he's SO keen on people that he'd be benefiting too I think. He'd love a lot of people all telling him he's gorgeous and I just know that cat lovers would like to have a hold of him.