Mobile ANT Summer Update

Mobile ANT stays busy during the summer, visiting our elder friends around Whatcom County. A perk of summertime visits is that more young people get involved, enjoying their vacation from school. Right now we have a great team of families who join us to share the animals with seniors, and we love getting to know the young people who are excited about giving back to their community. Mobile ANT is a wonderful experience for all ages, so if you’re interested in getting involved, make sure to scroll down to the bottom for a link!

Our sweet Gabby, a Golden Retriever, is always the first one in the van to make sure we don’t leave her behind. Once free to roam and visit where she pleases, Gabby can usually be found warming the feet of residents or resting her chin on someone’s knee, content to stay however long she is needed. Often elders just enjoy feeling her soft fur under their hands, and Gabby is more than happy to remain wherever there is sufficient attention.

Last week at Silverado, we spent time in the Sensory Room where we visit with residents who are less mobile, often non-verbal or who have trouble communicating, and who need considerable assistance with daily tasks. We were directed to one woman who was sitting in a wheelchair with her hands curled tightly up to her neck. The only way she could communicate with us was through tears & facial expressions.

I brought Butter’s small basket over to her lap and stooped down to say hello. The woman seemed to be unhappy, and even the basket in front of her didn’t elicit a different response. I decided then to take Butter out of her basket, and I held the little bird up to the woman so she could see her better. I spoke quietly to her, saying that Butter was very nice and that she liked to be touched.

After a moment, the women unfurled a hand and shakily reached out to stroke Butter’s head. As she felt the soft feathers and stroked down Butter’s neck, I saw the woman’s eyes crinkle up and happy tears begin to fall. She was smiling at Butter!

Butter visibly relaxed under her touch, and appeared to look directly at her new friend, never moving her head. The two stared at each other for another minute before the woman finally took her hand back, this time to rest in her lap instead of tightly clenched at her neck. I glanced over to see one of the facility staff gazing at us with wide eyes, as if in complete shock that this interaction was happening. I realized that it might have been the first time the woman came out of her shell, and all because of a chicken.