Scrawny and O.C.

Meet Scrawny (left) and O.C., the official facility cats at the Paducah Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, 501 North Third St. Admissions Director Andrea Seiler says that Scrawny showed up at the front door, starved and pathetic, about two to three years ago. "We had her spayed," she says. "And now there's no shortage of goodies for her, so her name no longer fits!"

Not long after Scrawny's arrival, another cat showed up.

"We're pretty sure she was just dumped here," Andrea says. "One of the residents was calling her 'O.C.' I asked her what O.C. stood for, and she said, 'Other Cat,' like, duh! And it fit. She has always been O.C."

The cats have adapted to life at the center. Scrawny has learned to let them both out into the fenced courtyard area by tripping the sensor on the automatic door. She hits the button with her paw to let herself and O.C. back inside.

Scrawny entertains everyone, staff and residents alike, by chasing the fish in the aquarium. Well, trying to chase the fish, from the outside of the glass — luckily for the fish.

Administrator Terri Humers explains the important role the cats play. "Having the cats here makes this feel more like home to our residents," she says. "And that is what we want."

In fact, Terri says employees are encouraged to bring their well-behaved pets on Thursdays and Fridays, and a resident's family can always bring the resident's own pets for a visit.

"It's good for all of our clients, but the benefits to our Alzheimer's patients can't be described," she notes.

When a patient makes the transition from this world to the next, Scrawny keeps them company. "She lies with them, right there," Terri says. "There was an article about a cat in an extended care facility who stayed with dying patients. None of us were surprised, because we've all seen Scrawny do the same thing."

Andrea stresses the importance of the cats to the residents with Alzheimer's disease, especially in the end stages of the illness. "They've lost so many of their abilities, and their senses of sight and hearing may be significantly impaired. But they don't lose their sense of touch. These cats bring such comfort to them."

These two kitties, Scrawny and O.C., bring joy and caring to folks who have lost a lot in their own lives. Every day.

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