Baby, a blind 8-year-old therapy dog who first started visiting residents at Island City Assisted Living in Eaton Rapids, Mich. over six years ago, is continuing her compassionate hobby amid the coronavirus pandemic.
When the COVID-19 crisis first took hold in the United States, Baby’s paused her visits for about a month because the residents are among the most at-risk for contracting the potentially deadly virus due to their age.
The residents missed Baby, though, frequently asking the facility’s activities director Kelly Klassen when they could see their furry friend again. Fortunately for the residents, Baby’s guardian, Pat Ward, came up with the idea of her and Baby visiting residents through their windows. This ensures their compliance with coronavirus-related safety restrictions and also provides the senior citizens with much-needed companionship during this isolating pandemic.
“We really needed to do something, because they missed her,” Ward told the Washington Post. “And we missed them.”
Residents can’t touch Baby, but just seeing the loving dog brings them happiness.
“They’re still able to talk to her and love her,” said Ward. “And they still smile about it. For a little bit of the time, it takes away the isolation and it takes away the pain.”
