Meet Fluffy the Therapist
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Leslie Weik (left), therapeutic recreation aide at Maple Farm
Nursing Center, hands Fluffy the therapy bunny to resident Ann
Kreider (right). |
There’s a new “therapist” at Maple Farm Nursing Center and she’s making quite an impact. She’s short, cute, furry, loves to play dress-up… and she’s not even a year old.
Her name is Fluffy, and she’s an Angora rabbit that calmly assists residents at Lancaster General’s long-term care facility in Akron.
Fluffy arrived last year at the encouragement of Therapeutic Recreation Aide, Leslie Weik.
“I saw the incredible response a Hospice volunteer achieved when she brought a therapy rabbit to visit and thought this would be something that could benefit our residents on a more permanent basis,” Leslie says.
She takes Fluffy out to residents’ rooms three times a week, where it not only brings smiles, but encourages them to exercise muscles and engage in conversation. And when Fluffy wears a diaper and one of her many outfits, she takes on a calm, docile demeanor that allows for good interaction with residents.
Fluffy has a pen in the facility’s group activity room, where residents can visit her throughout the day.
“One gentleman who wouldn’t leave his room before Fluffy moved in, now makes regular trips to visit,” Leslie says. “This is just one of Fluffy’s many success stories.”
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