I think this is nice: The Press Republican - Purrfect match for nursing-home residents

John Sims Jr. saved a chunk of Salisbury steak from lunch Monday — for Holly Berry.

The sleek black Labrador-retriever mix expects those treats; she visited the North Carolina native in his room at Evergreen Valley Nursing Home, accepting the tidbit with dog delight.

Sharing his lunch, John chuckled, "is good for me, too, because I keep maintaining my weight where it is now."

Holly Berry is a regular at Evergreen — she comes in with human-resources assistant Sandy Gardner every weekday.

Two cats live at the Nursing Home fulltime — they, too, brighten the day for residents.

"It makes the transition a little easier if the person had cats or other pets at home," said activities director Teresa Gardner, who happens to be Sandy's sister. "It makes it a little more homelike for them."

The cats have food and water dishes in various places throughout the Plattsburgh facility. As does the dog, they wander at will.

"Jada is definitely the lap kitten," said Administrator Brian Ruede. "She loves to hang out and follow the residents and jump on their beds.

"She's very affectionate."

Sadie, a black cat that sports white markings, is more independent. Monday, she positioned herself in one of her favorite spots — by the front entrance — where she seemed to give newcomers the once-over as they stepped inside.

She wasn't keen on cuddling with resident Linda Burdeau, who sat in a nearby chair, talking about cats, past and present.

"I had five of them," she said.

She had to give up her pets when she came to Evergreen.

"It wasn't easy."

Linda's face lit up as the activities director carried Jada over to her.

"There's my baby," she crooned, reaching for the green-eyed, jet-black cat. "Come on, baby girl. Don't be frightened."

Jada settled against Linda's shoulder and enjoyed a scratch behind the ear. The cat often snoozes on Linda's bed or that of her mother, Lorraine; mother and daughter share a room at Evergreen.

"The residents really, really love them," Teresa said.

And those who aren't fans of felines aren't much bothered by the cats, she said.

"They visit the ones who give them attention," Ruede said.

For a time, he added, chuckling, "two residents would kind of fight over the cats a little bit."

Pets have a way of raising spirits, the administrator said, speaking from his own experience — he has two cats of his own. Nurturing and caring for the animals give the residents something to look forward to and enjoy.

Monday afternoon, Holly Berry relaxed in the middle of the hallway by Sandy's office. With small encouragement, she followed Teresa through the double doors onto a residents ward.

There, in her wheelchair, was Rita Labombard of Champlain, a smile lighting her face as she spotted the dog. She reached out her hand to smooth the black fur as Holly Berry passed her.

"Seems like my dog," she said.

Sandy gave Rita a treat for the pup that slipped from her fingers onto her knee.

Holly Berry gobbled it up, and Rita laughed.

"Animals are so smart," she said, feeding her furry friend another snack. "Mine was so smart, you could talk to her just like she could understand everything."

Sometimes, John Sims's son, John Sims III, brings his border collie in for a visit. Finn is an agility champion — hanging from the corner of John's TV is one of many blue ribbons the dog has won.

Holly Berry first came to the Nursing Home at about 3 months old, four years ago. An employee had found the pup crying outdoors on a cold winter night and brought her in to work with her while attempting to find her owner.

No one claimed the dog, so Sandy took Holly Berry home, continuing the routine of taking her to work, too.

"That was part of the deal because we had all fallen in love with her," she said.

Staff and residents, too.

"She's always been very gentle and very calm — it's as if it was meant to be for her to be here."

The dog is a bit timid though. She has yet to allow John to pet her.

But he's making progress.

"For a while," he said, "she wouldn't come in except with an escort."