Heritage Manor News: Benefits of pet therapy

(Editor’s Note: The following article was submitted by Patricia Duplechin, resident activity director at Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Ville Platte. This column runs every Sunday in The Gazette.)
Pets and animals bring joy to people immensely. The unconditional love, comfort and loyalty are a treasure to anyone who has loved and been loved by an animal. This should not have to end because an individual has entered a long-term care community. Animals provide comfort and companionship. Moving into a long-term care facility often results in an individual having to give up their pet and causes depression. Pets can help lower blood pressure and decrease agitation. Caring for pets can give residents a purpose for living. We house five birds in the activity room. Each one was named by the residents. Pet therapy is very important to most. Residents in the dementia unit get excited when they are brought for a visit. We encourage family members to visit with pets and to make sure they are leashed at all times.
The staff of Heritage Manor wishes a Happy Birthday this week to Betty Jack, Mary Celestine and Riley Gallow.
The staff of Heritage Manor welcomes Hamilton Guillory to the facility.
The staff of Heritage Manor sends get-well wishes to our loved ones in the hospital.
The staff of Heritage Manor extends its deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Nazaris Hernandez. He will be missed by us all.
Activities this week include manicures, in-room visits, Come Lord Jesus group, mass, pokeno, bingo sponsored by the DAV, group exercise, hot dollar, happy hour, cookie bake, snow cones and the Region III Spring Pageant in St. Martinville. Heritage Manor’s Nursing Home King and Queen Ammich Stagg and Hazel Ortego will represent us in the pageant. Good luck to all of the participants!