The Reunited Pet Cabin: After Young Boy’s Turmoil, Patients Can Now See Their Furry Friends In Hospital
When Jacob woke up from a coma at the ITU while battling a rare brain infection, he would cry and beg his mum to bring Peanut, his beloved pet dog.
In response to this, his mother had snipped a sample of the Yorkshire terrier’s hair and sealed it in a bag, in a desperate attempt to help her son.
She would film the dog waiting on Jacob’s bed waiting eagerly for his return. Her son would then watch the video and cry. What else could a mother do?
Sarah Cachia was devastated. She felt powerless to grant her son’s only, possibly last, wish. As it is, pets are not allowed at Mater Dei and there was no room where they could meet.
They finally arranged to let them meet outside on a cold and windy day. His happiness was infectious after the heartbreak experienced when he was at death’s door.
“The memory of what happened next will stay with me forever. Seeing my skeletal, frail son sob uncontrollably as Peanut jumped into his arms when he called his name, tail wagging with joy, so happy to be with his ‘brother’, was exhilarating,” the mother expressed.
“In fact, we all wept tears of happiness and contentment after having shed so many tears of heartache and suffering that we had endured over the past months.”
“Two years later when we were finally in better days I asked here on Facebook why wasn’t there a room allocated for such visits?! My son had more chance of getting sick from the elements or from passersby than from our family dog!”
“My question did not go unheard thanks to a nurse with a heart of gold – Claire Catanzaro, and a hospital administration willing to listen to our plea.”
“We went on to collaborate with another NGO that believed in us, JCI Malta, and after obtaining the necessary permits we built the Reunited Pet Cabin on the Hospital grounds; a room designated for pet visitation and pet therapy; a project that would bring joy to countless families with sick hospitalised loved ones.”
“I would like to thank all who believed in us and helped us make this dream a reality, emphasising how together we can all make a difference in so many lives!”
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