On the first floor of the Mansion, there is an activity room, with games, puzzles and a big screen television. Some afternoons Julie Smith (center) the activity room, leads a dice game (I can’t remember the name) and three or four residents came in. Joan, on the left, has trouble seeing, but she was mesmerized touching Red and feeling his soft fur and warmth. These two connected right a way, she sensed his connection to her, he sensed her need for him.

I see these connections all the time, they are beautiful and inspiring to me. They are the payoff of therapy work. Joan sat out the game and communicated with Red.

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Your cards and messages line the walls of the Mansion, thank you. If you wish to write Jane or Connie or Madeline or any of the residents of the Mansion, you can do so by writing The Mansion, 11 S. Union Avenue, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. And thanks for the quilts and shawls and caftans as well. You are doing great good.