CcPetsOnWheels.com
Title
Charles County Pets on Wheels
Description
Charles County Pets on Wheels was founded in June of 1996. The goal of Charles County Pets on Wheels is to arrange for volunteers and their pets to visit residents of nursing homes and provide "pet facility therapy". However, our emphasis is on serving patients who have been unresponsive to on going activities. Many of these patients have impaired cognitive abilities due to senility or Alzheimer's disease and react to animals with more awareness than to people around them.
Eager volunteers and nursing home staff have come to the conclusion that even the most depressed and withdrawn residents will eventually respond to an animal's attention. Some residents are waiting for the pet to appear at the appointed time and are extremely disappointed if, for some reason, the team is unable to visit. A visit by a pet team relieves the boredom, which many residents face each day, particularly those who are unable to leave their beds or rooms to participate in other activities. Nursing home staff report that many depressed and uncommunicative residents have become enthusiastic and talkative in the presence of an animal.
