| Several years ago a pregnant young cat was | | | | care to pet and talk to our little therapy guy. As |
| rescued on a farm in Palm City, FL and was | | | | an ambassador of Domino's House, Avery has |
| brought to Domino's House, a no-kill cage-free cat | | | | impacted many residents -- some in a small way |
| rescue and adoption facility. After a day of rest | | | | and some in a manner that can change the mind |
| she presented to us a beautiful litter of grey | | | | and spirit. On one particular visit, Sally decided to |
| white, black/white kittens which we named after | | | | take Avery into a room where an older woman |
| the novel Charlotte's web. One of her handsome | | | | was sitting in a wheel chair mute, as she had been |
| kittens was named Avery. | | | | for some time. When asked if she would like to |
| Avery was adopted by a fine family who had a | | | | hold Avery, there was no response and nursing |
| young son. Five years later we received a call | | | | staff had already mentioned to Sally that this lady |
| from Avery's owner who stated that we must | | | | had not responded to anyone in a long time. Sally, |
| take Avery back as he was ruining the neighbor's | | | | overlooking the resident's previous non-response, |
| screen door when he went outside which, | | | | placed Avery in her lap. Immediately, the lady |
| apparently, was all the time. When mother and | | | | moved her hand across Avery's back with |
| son appeared at Domino's door with Avery held | | | | obvious pleasure. This scenario was repeated for |
| tightly in the son's arms, the mother lifted Avery | | | | some time and when Avery was lifted off her |
| from her son's arms and quickly handed Avery to | | | | lap, the lady held up her arms as if to say she |
| me. The little boy had no idea that Avery was to | | | | wanted to hold him once more. Two weeks |
| stay with me now and I can still hear his voice | | | | passed and during another visit to the Nursing |
| crying, "No, no - not my Avery!!!!" I often wonder | | | | Home, the nurses greeted Sally with the news |
| if the boy ever forgave his mother for her candid | | | | that the lady who had shown no response for |
| act. | | | | some time was now talking and, in fact, waiting to |
| At Domino's House Avery is not only a very | | | | receive Avery in her lap once more! |
| happy, healthy kitty but he has a job!! Avery is | | | | Thousands of nursing home and hospices all over |
| our therapy cat along with his friend and volunteer | | | | the world are finding therapy dogs and cats have |
| at Domino's Cat Rescue League, Sally Booth. | | | | made millions of smiles and hope for their |
| Twice a month Avery adorns his harness and his | | | | community. Sally said, "The hours spent at the |
| "handsome man" collar and off they go to Palm | | | | bedside of the residents has changed my life. I |
| City Nursing and Rehab Center. | | | | realize a simple gesture has made a huge impact, |
| The residents and staff always look eagerly for | | | | allowing senior citizens a fulfilling experience in their |
| Sally and Avery to arrive and visit with all who | | | | daily lives". |