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Four-legged visitors bring smiles to Bishop Noa Home

By Sophie Vogelmann 3 min read

ESCANABA -- Residents at Bishop Noa Home in Escanaba were smiling ear to ear Tuesday when kittens and puppies arrived from the Delta Animal Shelter (DAS) for a visit as part of the shelter's Snuggles with Seniors program.

Staff members from the DAS transport a few animals to the nursing home every month or two, depending on what animals they have in their care. On Tuesday, three rambunctious puppies and four sleepy kittens left the shelter for a day of adventure.

Bishop Noa Home Activity Director Tammy Martin said the occasion is extremely uplifting for many of the facility's residents.

"It's always a highlight of the day, Martin added. "For some residents, it's the one thing that draws them out of their room. When they need that snuggle, it's very mood lifting for them. And it's not just for the residents. Sometimes staff need that, too."

The program got its start in May 2018 and has been a hit ever since. The DAS also visits various other nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult foster homes in the area for the program.

Martin said while some Bishop Noa Home residents are hands-on and cuddle the animals for the hour that they are there, others take a more laid-back approach.

"Some like to just watch them play, but then we have the big animal lovers that want to hold on to them the whole time and love on them because they're missing their animals," Martin said. "Some of them have had to give up their animals to come here."

Penny Flath, a Bishop Noa Home resident, said the whole facility looks forward to the DAS' visit.

"It brings so much joy. The minute they get here, all you can see is smiles," Flath said. "We're really appreciative of them doing this."

Another Bishop Noa resident, Betty Frenette, held a kitten for the majority of the shelter's visit on Tuesday. Frenette said she grew up with cats, and she is most definitely a cat person.

Martin noted kittens are perfect for the program, as mature cats are often a bit more difficult to introduce to seniors or strangers.

"Kittens are easier to transport, and they're more accepting of being handled," Martin added. "It's a win-win for the shelter for socialization and for us because our residents miss their animals."

Michelle Wood, volunteer coordinator at the DAS, echoed this sentiment while noting it gives the public a chance to see shelter animals outside of the shelter environment.

"Even if (the animals) are called shelter dogs or shelter cats, they just happen to be living at the shelter at that time," Wood said. "I think it can really help to see them out in a space that's familiar to a lot of people rather than the setup of kennels."

Wood said the Snuggles with Seniors program is one way the shelter can give back to the community that gives so much to them, and it is a great opportunity to show fellowship between DAS volunteers and the community.

"The biggest thing is just giving back to the community," Wood said. "We wouldn't be able to even be the truly wonderful and progressive animal shelter that we are without a community to support us, which not every place has."

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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.

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