As of: February 1, 2024, 6:00 p.m
By: Juliane Gutmann
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Cats opening doors: nothing new.
But very few kitties can use an elevator.
Smokey knows how it works - and regularly visits nursing home residents.
When Smokey saunters past the dining table, it puts a smile on the faces of the residents of the St. Ulrich retirement home in Stuttgart.
The black cat isn't just visiting.
He has lived there for around two years - and is also a real attraction for visitors.
Because the cat isn't just playing, enjoying treats and running around: he uses the elevator when he wants to get some fresh air.
Tomcat disdains the stairs, but likes to use the elevator
“We tried stairs first.
Stairs didn't work somehow.
Then we bought a cat ladder.
That was kind of okay.
And then we tried to practice elevators - and it works great with the hangover.
We ran ahead, the cat followed.
Went up and down two or three times.
He’s been doing it ever since,” says Michael Kaesmacher, head of the St. Ulrich retirement home in Stuttgart, in the
WDR
format “Animals Looking for a Home.”
But it doesn't work entirely without human help.
A note on the elevator gives the information that you should press floor 1 for Smokey if he is waiting in front of the elevator.
Smokey is everyone's favorite.
“She always sits in front of the elevator and it’s so sweet when she sits there in front of the elevator,” enthuses a resident.
Home manager Kaesmacher sees further advantages of pets in retirement homes: “The residents have a job.
Also residents who find it difficult to express themselves.
The residents can still communicate using their hands.”
Petting and playing with cats has been proven to be good for people.
According to American researchers, caring for an animal can even protect against memory loss.
Cats generally love to play.
A black cat who lives in a retirement home in Stuttgart brightens the minds of the residents every day (symbolic image).
© Imago
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“It should be done in all retirement homes”: Instagram user with a clear opinion
Smokey originally belonged to the daughter of a former retirement home employee.
Now the cat somehow belongs to everyone, as the
WDR
report shows.
Most of the viewers are enthusiastic about the old people's home hangover.
The Instagram post from the tiersucheeinhause channel alone was liked over 67,000 times.
The users comment exuberantly:
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“It's so nice to see, the cat has a home and the residents have a furry friend.
I would say win-win situation 😍”
“What a great story!!!!
🐈🐈🐈🐈"
“Animals should be allowed in such establishments everywhere!
A blessing for both parties!❤️”
“Every time we go to facilities as a visiting dog team, we notice how nice it is, especially for residents who used to have animals themselves!”
“My husband works in a facility for people with disabilities. A red, handsome tomcat used to come every day, the residents loved him so much, unfortunately he died two years ago.
I think it should be standard that pets like cats are allowed in old people's homes and homes for the disabled because they are autonomous, especially in the context of inclusion!!!!!”
“I would wish that for our father...then he wouldn't be bored anymore...he had a tomcat for many years that he loved very much.
That would be my best Christmas present...😍😍😍”
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