Young girl’s nonprofit offers new companionship to patients in long-term care

Since live pets are not welcome in some nursing facilities, this 9-year-old girl came up with a new idea to provide long-term care patients daily companionship.
Published: Mar. 12, 2026 at 12:01 PM CDT

(Aging Untold) — A 2023 study of nearly 8,000 adults found that pet owners were more likely to experience slower rates of memory decline.

While live pets might not work in most nursing homes, a 9-year-old from Indiana is making sure patients in long-term care facilities do not feel alone.

“We would like for you to adopt an animal today,” 9-year-old Evelyn Hill asks.

However, she is not talking about a real pet.

She is instead talking about realistic stuffed animals that can breathe, bark, meow and even move.

“I have so much joy from this. I love it so much,” Evelyn said with a grin.

Learn more about the young girl who created the nonprofit Evelyn’s Blessings to bring comfort to the elderly.