Matt Tillson
DUNCAN — Dogs are said to be man’s best friend. That statement holds true at the Meridian Nursing Home.
The nursing home recently acquired a 2-year-old poodle-Yorkie mixed dog named “Cloey” from the Stephens County Humane Society. Meridian Activity Director Cathy Lokey came up with the idea of getting Cloey because she loves animals and said that a lot of the residents love animals, as well.
“We were so lucky to find a dog like Cloey,” Lokey said. “She is such a sweet dog and really brings a smile to the people’s faces.”
Lokey said that it was not a very difficult decision to pick Cloey as the dog they wanted from the Humane Society. There were several dogs that were brought down for everyone to see. However, it was on a trip down to the Humane Society that Lokey found Cloey.
“I went down there and I saw her in a cage and asked about her,” Lokey said. “Once I opened the cage, she just came out and jumped in my arms and I knew right then that this was the dog we wanted.”
Lokey said another reason for getting a dog was because it is so therapeutic.
“With Cloey around, it gives the people something to look forward to each day,” Lokey said.
Cloey belongs to every resident at the nursing home. However, you would not be able to tell it by just walking in.
“Everyone here says that Cloey is their dog,” Lokey said. “They all love having her around and I think she loves being here.”
One resident in particular stakes claim to Cloey. Bettye Williams has unofficially been named Cloey’s caretaker.
“I have food in my room for her,” Williams said. “Every night, she will lie at the foot of my bed and sleep there.”
Along with being a playful and friendly dog, Cloey is also a very smart dog. Lokey recalled a night where Cloey was down the hall causing a disturbance with her barking.
“She was barking nonstop, so we went down to get her to stop and right as we had gotten down the hall, we noticed that one of our residents had fallen,” Lokey said.
