My Nonprofit Reviews
natbum01
Review for Humane Society for Seattle-King Co, Bellevue, WA, USA
My cat Button and I are part of the Visiting Pet Program of the Humane Society. We visit assisted living facilities and nursing homes. So far we have made over 60 trips to these facilities and visited over 500 residents. It is incredible to see Button in action. She knows how to get on each person's lap if they are in a chair or where to position herself on their bed if they are bedridden. She has an amazing connection with people suffering from severe Alzheimer's. I have seen people who were staring into space and not moving, suddenly become responsive to her presence next to them. I cannot express how blessed I feel that the Humane Society has this program going, what it means to those we visit and what it means to be to be able to watch my cat in action. I have been with the Visiting Pet Program since it started and it is the most rewarding volunteer experience I have ever had.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the responses of the people that we visit. Seeing a little cat come in to visit someone who is bedridden brings such joy to them.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
increase the size of the visiting pet program.
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?
Have a meeting of all the visiting pet volunteers so that we could share experiences. We are out 'in the field' and don't have any contact with other visiting pet volunteers.
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
Yes, it has taught me to have patience. When an Alzheimer patient asks 'what is your cat's name' 5 times in a row, I have learned to respond like it is the first time they asked that question. It has also made me aware that little things mean a lot. It doesn't take much to bring Button on our visits but the visits mean so much to those that can't get out.
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
Like I am the one who has been truly blessed to be able to do the Visiting Pet program.
