Recently, elderly care center Lyngblomsten in St. Paul, Minnesota, has been receiving visits from a very special new resident – but probably not the kind you are thinking of.
Nala, a Teacup Poodle who belongs to the center’s medications assistant Doug Dawson, just can’t get enough of hanging out and having a cuddle with Lyngblomsten’s elderly residents.
Amazingly, it is Nala herself who decided to start spreading the love around. Every day at the beginning of his shift, Dawson puts his adorable pooch in the elevator and goes about his business, while Nala sets her own agenda, visiting several different care center residents, one after another.
She even seems to have a sixth-sense for scouting out those who are most in need of her company.
“If you put her down she’ll pick out the person with Alzheimer’s. She has a way of picking the sick.” Says Dawson.
Nala also seems to understand when individuals are nearing the end of their lives – staff emotionally recall how she refused to leave resident Izez Gugisberg’s side during her final hours.
“She’s here for a purpose. She really is doing God’s work.”
