If you were to visit Veteran’s Place – the veteran’s wing of the Yarmouth hospital – you may be greeted by staff, residents, or even a sweet little tabby cat named Poppy.
The staff at Veteran’s Place adopted Poppy from the Yarmouth SPCA shelter earlier this year and she has spent the last eight months making herself comfortable and winning over the hearts of residents and staff.
“Within her first few hours here, Poppy was already sniffing and exploring her new home. Within the first few days she had quickly established which residents were cat lovers in the unit, and her presence has surprisingly won over the appreciation from a few non-cat lovers within the group as well,” says Stephanie Smith, Team Lead and Registered Nurse at Veteran’s Place.
The staff gave Poppy her name to honour all veterans who have served and sacrificed. “It only seemed fitting,” says Stephanie. 
Poppy was not the first cat to live among the residents at Veteran’s Place. In fact, the unit previously had a cat named Precious who lived there well into her senior years. “Animal therapy has been shown to have many positive therapeutic effects within the elderly population, so when our unit was ready to house a pet again, adopting from the SPCA seemed like a great option,” says Hayley Ryan, Health Services Manager for Veteran’s Place.
Poppy’s daily routine starts with greeting the nursing staff as they arrive in the morning and perching on the desk while they prepare for their shift. She spends her days laying in her favourite resting spots on recliner chairs and soft blankets in resident rooms, as well as sunbathing in our unit’s solarium. She enjoys greeting staff, residents and visitors as they enter the unit.
“It didn’t take long for Poppy to start showing up to the biweekly exercise classes. At first, she watched from underneath residents’ wheelchairs, but she quickly gained the confidence to enter the exercise circle and explore, which gives the residents a good laugh,” says Hayley. “Poppy also enjoys making an appearance at any live musical entertainment and church functions.”
Poppy has adjusted perfectly to living at Veteran’s Place and has brought a peaceful home-like atmosphere to the unit. “She has given residents something positive to look forward to each day. She brings comfort to many residents and often reminds them of their own animal that they once had,” says Stephanie.
When she’s not greeting people, sunbathing, or keeping residents company, Poppy loves to have fun playing with one of her many toys, chasing her tail, shredding paper and zooming around the unit.
One of her most favourite hobbies of all is eating. “She loves food so much that we have had to implement a feeding schedule with an automatic food dispenser, which she wasn’t a big fan of,” says Hayley.
Even though Poppy is just being herself, her presence helps to support the overall mental and emotional well-being of the residents, as well as staff and visitors. The impact that animal therapy can have on us is profound. When a resident is upset, they will sometimes seek out Poppy who gives them the comfort and reassurance they need.
Poppy has proven that even the smallest creatures can make a big difference. She’s a reminder of how special pets can be.
“We all love her, and she has been such a positive, peaceful and entertaining addition Veteran’s Place. We’re beyond thankful to have her,” both Hayley and Stephanie agree.