Popsicle's Visits

		Popsicle was very easy to start training. He already loved to sit on a wheelchair we had at home, so I started to push him around the house... a little each day, added more distance as time went on. He enjoyed going for rides! I started target clicker training, and he learned to jump up on his chair when I called him. We highly recommend clicker training for cats!

		March 16, 2006 was Popsicle's first visit to Perry Village. He didn't much like the carrier in getting there, and was very anxious to jump out and explore the home. He is 20 pounds, and visiting the home for an hour.. carrying the load... my arms were aching. I hoped to use his chair the next visit. Popsicle made himself at home in the rooms we visited. Everyone loved seeing a cat visiting!

		We had our 2nd visit to Perry Village on March 23, 2006, and it seems the word spread throughout the home that Popsicle was coming. People were waiting in the hallways to see the big friendly cat. Popsicle's Top Hat and Bow Tie didn't arrive Fed-Ex until later that day, but we will have it ready for our visit next week It was a very good day.

		Popsicle showed off his bowtie at Perry Village today, March 30, 2006. He was quite the gentleman... er... gentlepuss. He visited a couple additional rooms this time, so he is adding more to his list of visitations!

		As we were getting ready to leave, March 30, 2006, I put the TopHat on Popsicle and the receptionist snapped our picture. He wasn't thrilled about being in public in the hat for now. We will work on that more at home before trying it out again. (grins)

		After visiting Perry Village on April 6th (and getting lots of pictures taken there!) we went into Newport to Steckley's Pet Center to get Popsicle fitted up with a harness and leash. I have to ask this person's name again so I can place it here. He was a very big help! We also brought home some fish and plan on getting more next week.

		April 23rd, Popsicle and Helga had a scheduled supervised visit/evaluation with KPETS Evaluator, Laura, at Stonebridge outside of Duncannon.. Both did great! Popsicle will be an official Therapy Cat once we get all the paperwork done. And Popsicle is holding it over Helga's head that he got it first. Dogs need additional supervised visits/evaluations, Helga being a dog, she has to pass another one.

		Popsicle made it into Perry Villages' May '06 Newsletter! They printed 2 pictures and a little bio about him. After this was distributed, we had people come down the halls at Perry Village and ask us, ":Is this Popsicle?" Pretty soon his tophat won't fit on his swelled head. (grin) No, not our Popsicle, he wouldn't let a little attention swell his ego. ;-)

		*Popsicle made it on the front page* of Perry County's 3 newspapers, June 8, 2006. The reporter met us last week and followed us on our rounds at Perry Village, she took some pictures. she did a great writeup about Popsicle and what it takes to be a therapy pet. This particular photo is from The Duncannon Record. Way to go Popsicle!

		Popsicle and Helga are 2 of the therapy pets featured in Compassionate Care Hospice's Pet Therapy Brochure that will be used to get the word out about CCH's Pet Therapy Program.

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