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nowball the cat has become the residents’ new best friend. “A six-week-old stray kitten was discovered by residents,” shared Mona Frey, Executive Director of Welsh Mountain Home.


“Te residents started to feed her and made a shelter for her. It was soon obvious that the kitty was adopting the residents and making Welsh Mountain Home her new home.”


Sarah Albertson, Director of Resident Services at Welsh Mountain Home, described how, at first, she was doubtful Snowball would survive. “She was so small and sickly! But, perhaps healed by good food and the affection of residents, Snowball recovered and began following residents as they walked outside.”


“At July’s resident council, there was an almost unanimous vote to bring her indoors and keep her as a pet,” says Sarah. Te residents also voted on a name for the cat and the fluffy new addition was then christened Snowball.


“She makes me cheerful,” resident Steve shared. “Her personality is really playful.”


“I love to watch her play,” said Denise, another resident.


Resident Connie had a cat when she was young, and Snowball helps her recall those fond memories. “Snowball makes me laugh,” Connie said. “It makes me happy to see the other residents playing with her.”


Sarah said, “Te entire living room is full now with residents I never used to see. We already had a great culture and community here at Welsh Mountain Home to begin with. It really is a family. But this cat has brought things to a whole new level.”


“Snowball gives the residents a lot of comfort and she makes them feel younger,” shared resident Vera. “She helps them remember their childhoods and the animals they may have had. She comes in my room after I wake up and keeps me company.”


“Tere’s more excitement and more talking amongst the residents. Everyone is livelier and they’re interacting more,” said Haley, a staff PCA at Welsh Mountain Home.


Snowball has brought so much undeniable joy to Welsh Mountain Home. Her presence there seems providential, as if she knew the residents needed her just as much as she needed them.


“It’s a miracle that the cat lived, that she’s here, and that she’s had such a profound impact on the residents,” Sarah said. “Snowball really adopted us.”


“Snowball gives the residents a lot of comfort and she makes them feel younger,” shared resident Vera. “She helps them remember their childhoods and the animals they may have had. She comes in my room after I wake up and keeps me company.”


Landis.org | FLOURISH | Fall 2023 • 7


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