Paws of Love
Hello! I'm Rosie Kilian, a fine art major at LaGuardia High School, a Brooklynite, cat lover and aspiring anthropologist!
As a lifetime pet owner and animal care volunteer, I recognize the deep impact pets have on human well being and that this connection crosses different societies and cultural groups. Pets and animals allow us social connections by reducing loneliness and isolation, especially for those in long term care. This is what prompted me to start a kitty therapy program for local seniors in rehabilitation. I personally take seniors (along with volunteers from the Cobble Hill Health Center) on field trips to the Brooklyn Cat Cafe for cuddles, treats and a therapeutic experience!
Blog
Mission & Vision
With Heart to Paw, my mission is to provide therapeutic cuddle time for seniors through interactions with loving kitty friends. By arranging visits to The Brooklyn Cat Cafe, I aim to bring happiness and brighten the days of seniors by introducing them to the kitties up for adoption there. My vision is to create a space where visiting seniors experience the healing power of the human-animal bond. At the same time, through fundraising, I have been able to give over $1,000 to help support the cafe's rescue efforts.
Initiatives
Therapy Visits
Our therapy visits involve wheeling many seniors through the streets of Brooklyn from CHHC for field trips to the Brooklyn Cat Cafe to have private cuddle time with the free roaming cats up for adoption there. In one case, one of the volunteers that accompanied me adopted a kitty! These visits provide emotional support, reduce stress, and promote overall well-being among the residents, as well as help the cats adjust to human interaction making them ideal candidates for adoption.
Awareness Campaigns
Through this site as an awareness campaign, my blog provides information to the community about the benefits of animal-assisted therapy for seniors and pet adoption. I aim to increase understanding and support for this cause and inspire more volunteers to join or support me in spreading joy.
Donation Drives
To sustain my initiative and expand my reach, I organized several GoFundMe donation drives to collect funds that all go to the cafe to use for adoption outreach, medical expenses and cat supplies. Your contribution can help me continue bringing smiles to seniors and nurture the human-animal bond.
