Animal visits provide joy, comfort
The Adult Day Center at Camarillo Health Care District was filled with oohs, ahhs and gentle cooing as fluffy tales wagged and gazes met.
In mid-August we had three visits from animal therapy organizations.
We met Marigold, a citrus-bearded dragon; Topaz, a blue-tongued skink; Poppy, a lionhead bunny; Pippin, a red-footed tortoise and other creatures from The Little Zoo, as well as a half-dozen lovable dogs from VIP Dog Teams and Love on a Leash.
The Little Zoo's animals provided sensory and cognitive stimulation, as well as delight, for our clients as they learned all about the animals while the creatures were passed around.
Love on a Leash and VIP Dog Teams brought love and support through their Community Meet and Greet programs. These therapy dogs are trained to interact with people and their surroundings under the guidance of their owners. The overall goal is to promote the health and wellness benefits of animal assisted therapy.
Our licensed Adult Day Center provides safe, respectful, and compassionate option for adults who benefit from additional care during the day due to health conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, brain injury, decreasing mobility, isolation or loneliness.
Our Center is the only one of its kind in the Camarillo area and receives clients from throughout Ventura County. In 2014, the Center was expanded and redesigned with a person-centered focus and to reflect a home-like environment, with an open-concept living room, kitchen and dining area, game rooms, indoor gardening beds, gathering space with a piano for entertaining, and a special quiet space. In 2015, it received “Innovative Program of the Year” throughout the state of California from the California Special Districts Association.
The Center is a social model that focuses on providing socialization, mental and physical activities that can be enjoyable for everyone.
“The Center touches so many lives on a daily basis and we see that in action each time families refer other families to the Center,” Adult Day Program Director Mary Ann Ratto said. “It’s very heartwarming to hear families speak of the Center as ‘the greatest blessing’ and ‘so wonderful’.”
Learn more on our website.
