Therapy cat helps keep dementia patients calm and happy

Lacey is the first resident cat in a provincially-run long-term care home

Lacey the cat has moved into the dementia wing at the Prince Edward Home in Charlottetown, and is making the residents smile.

Provincial long-term care homes have had cat visitors before, but Lacey is the first to settle into one.

"It just makes a whole lot of sense to try to have a pet of some sort … that just moves right on in," said home administrator Andrew MacDougall.

"We're happy how it's going and we hope to keep it going."

Loving and loyal companions

Lacey, a ragdoll cat, has been living at the Prince Edward Home for 10 months. The breed was chosen for low dander, low shedding, and good personality.

"People have really taken to her," said MacDougall.

"Everyone knows the impact that animals can have on people's emotional well being. You know, animals are loyal, they're loving, they give a sense of companionship and we've seen various occasions where the cat almost in a way can sense when some residents are having additional difficulties, and there can be more of a connection."

Provincially-run nursing homes already provide pet therapy through birds, fish, and occasional visits from licensed therapy dogs.

MacDougall hopes to expand the resident pet therapy program to other homes, which could include other animals.

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