Special cat helps Alzheimer patients recapture memories

One of the most popular visitors among the residents of the Nazareth Classic Care Community in Menlo Park, Calif., is a four-year old half Maine Coon, half Orange Tabby cat named Caju. Twice a month, this very affable feline makes his way around the long-term care facility for Alzheimer and dementia patients, bringing a smile to residents and often helping them reach back to memories of their own cherished animal companions.

Caju, who lives with Karen Mohr and Steve Bartz, as well as another feline pal named Kirby, is one of the participants in the Pet Assisted Therapy Program run by the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA, located 30 minutes south of San Francisco. Mohr and Bartz read about the program about a year ago and enrolled Caju because of his extremely friendly and mellow disposition. Up until then, only dogs were in the program.

Theresa Dwyer, administrator at Nazareth, concurs that Caju is a very special cat. “We’ve had dogs before here but never cats,” she said. “He’s so friendly. All the residents really enjoy his visits and respond well to him.”

Caju, who loves people, had no trouble assuming his role as a therapy pet. “He is the most social cat I’ve ever had,” said Mohr. “When the doorbell rings, he is right there to greet visitors. He especially loves Halloween when the kids come around, and he isn’t bothered by noises, which may have something to do with his past.”

Ever the professional
Caju’s start in life was a far cry from the comfort of his home with Mohr and Bartz, not to mention his volunteer work. Chicago friends of Mohr and Bartz found Caju at a construction site when he was just a kitten. They rescued him and name him Caju because of his golden orange coloring -- in Brazilian Caju means flower of the cashew. When they moved to the Bay Area, they were unable to keep him in their rented home, so Mohr and Bartz took him.

Nowadays, Caju has a special leash and harness for the job and gets a grooming before each visit to the Nazareth center. Mohr said that he seems to understand that he is on duty as he makes his way around the facility greeting residents who respond by petting him and talking about pets they used to have. Sometimes he’ll sit on someone’s lap.

“There are times when I can detect a moment of clarity among some of the residents when they are with Caju,” Mohr said. “I think his presence and the interaction helps stimulate their memory.”

According to Eric Hall, founding chief executive officer of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, the use of pets in therapy for Alzheimer patients is on the rise. He writes on OurAlzheimer’s.com, “Animals are increasingly working their magic at Alzheimer’s facilities across the country. Just like art activities, storytelling, music therapy and poetry sessions, pet therapy is being incorporated into the daily calendar of activities and, in so doing, is engaging people with dementia and staff in meaningful interactions that help improve quality of life.”