Winnie spent her life on a dairy farm, she came to love the barn cats that always seem to hang out around dairy farms. She watches over Summer, the Mansion barn cat and loves to read books and stories about cats and other animals.

Today I brought her a realistic cat doll from a new comfort series for the elderly from Hasbro. She was quite happy to get it. As it happened, Summer was sitting on a chair in her room when we came in.

She turned up her nose at the stuffed cat and headed out into the hallway. There is a lot of talk at the Mansion about the impact these comfort dolls and animals are having.

They are bringing a lot of people peace. I have one more comfort doll coming this week, that will go to Alice. I asked two of the men about comfort animals, they both said no, they didn’t wish to be laughed at.

I’ve also ordered a bassinet for Ellen and her doll, she fears rolling over on her baby and hurting it.

However, Wayne loves his stuffed Cavalier Spaniel, he is sleeping alongside of it.

This is one of the most effective tools I’ve witnessed in my Mansion work, especially among the memory impaired. It gives them focus, connection, a purpose and work to do. It also gives them something to nurture and love, I sense they miss this acutely.

I will certainly respect their wishes. Two other men seem interested, we’ll see what happens. Thanks for supporting this program.