+100%-

Meet Butterscotch

by Trinity Davidson, Southern Ohio Community Outreach Coordinator

On June 30th, Butterscotch was delivered to her new home. You may be asking: Who is that? Butterscotch is Virginia Duckworth’s new furry friend, a robotic cat. The Ohio Masonic Home has robotic pets that are designed to look, feel, and act just like a real animal – complete with authentic sounds and motions. There are many different types of robotic pets available to choose from, but so far cats and dogs have been the most common choices.

“Through the introduction of furry pets, we have seen a decrease in anxiety, stress, and use of anti-psychoactive medications,” shared Sister Cara Schuster, Chief Clinical Officer of The Ohio Masonic Home.

For community members who can sometimes be isolated from family and friends, especially those with a memory-related diagnosis, these furry friends provide companionship and have been shown to have a positive effect on their mental wellbeing. Butterscotch and her counterparts have other benefits as well, including reducing stress, improving physical mobility, and reducing feelings of isolation.

Thanks to the generous support raised through The Ohio Masonic Home Foundation, furry companions have been made available to community members in both Pathways and skilled nursing units. Ms. Duckworth was the first off-campus recipient to receive a pet like Butterscotch, as part of a new program with The Ohio Masonic Home Resource Center. For more information about these companions, please contact us at 1-877-881-1623.

Comments are closed.