Staying In Touch While Being Apart

Sending Letters from Dogs and Cats

During the COVID-19 shutdown, finding ways to stay in touch with all of the recipients of our Therapaws Pet Therapy work has been a challenge. 

But recently we came up with a way to let our Therapaws friends know are all thinking of them…especially our therapy dogs and cats. In lieu of those wonderful in-person visits that we’re all missing, team members took to writing letters from therapy pets, particularly to residents in senior care facilities, like Cordia Senior Residence in Westmont, IL. 

“Writing these emails allows our therapy teams to keep up their contact with the individuals they see each week, and helps lift spirits in facilities that can no longer permit outside visitors,” said Susan D’Alexander, Pet Therapy Program Coordinator.

Cordia’s Program Director, Katie Sullivan, recently sent back photos of smiling residents enjoying the letters. “Seeing those photos meant the world to us and brought a smile to everyone on staff,” said D’Alexander.

Therapaws teams will continue to write letters of comfort to let their friends know they’re thinking of them throughout these difficult times. Plans are also in motion to support the AMITA healthcare community working so hard to keep everyone safe and well.

Until our teams can be reunited either in a new way or in person, with patients, residents and students, we’ll be continuing to write our letters and look forward to the day when we’ll all be together again.