When seniors move into a nursing home residence, there are a lot of changes they have to get used to. It can be difficult to lose a bit of independence, and even worse, be forced to leave your beloved pet behind But that’s where Oreo comes in.

Oreo, the nursing home cat, spends her days working at St. Augustine Health Ministries. She wandered into the nursing home 5 years ago and has had a permanent position ever since. “Oreo found us,” Dana Cairns told Huffington Post.

It didn’t take long for the staff and residents to fall in love with Oreo. One staff member said, “She’s like our family here. She helps the residents. She helps the employees, and we just love her.”

When residents move into the nursing home, they’re not allowed to bring their pets with them. “To have Oreo here…to be able to come out and pet the cat and see how the cat is doing…”

“I think it just brings a lot of laughter, a lot of smiles, and a lot of normalcy. A lot of those feelings of home for the people working and the residents that live here,” Dana explained.

Oreo keeps the resident wheelchairs warm for them.

And even keeps them company while they wait for rides and appointments.

“I’m not sure if Oreo was in need of us, or we were in need of Oreo,” Dana said. “But she’s a great addition to our family.”

See how Oreo helps her residents in the adorable video below!

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Source: cleveland.com

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By Britanie Leclair

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Britanie Leclair is a contributor at SBLY Media.