World Kindness Week: Little dog helps lonely old man feel happy
In Melbourne, Australia, a puppy named Prinny changes John’s lonely days in a nursing home, bringing him lots of joy and love from all over the world.
Senior resident Anita LeBlanc wants to “cheer on” her friends with something stronger than grape juice.
LeBlanc is in the news for his testimony before a Minnesota House committee. The committee considered a so-called “Grandparents Happy Hour” bill that would allow group homes to serve alcohol to residents and guests.
“Just because we’re older and living in assisted living doesn’t mean we have less freedom than other people,” LeBlanc said in her March 17 testimony. “My friends and I, like many of you, love happy hour.”
A TikTok of LeBlanc’s testimony posted by local news network Fox 9 in Minneapolis has been viewed nearly 1 million times, and more than 103,000 Instagram users have liked a clip of LeBlanc’s testimony posted on the Washington Post’s Reel.
One user commented: “They’re not in jail. This is a retirement community. Let’s give them a drink.” Over 16,800 other Instagram users liked this comment.
“We get in the car at dawn for Anita and her box of wine!” another user wrote.
LeBlanc is a resident of Amira Choice, an assisted living facility in Champlin, Minnesota. He told the committee that the bill would legislate “what many people think is already allowed: happy hours in the places we call home.”
“You can have a drink together and celebrate the golden years of your life by remembering parts of your life, such as military service, raising a family, or the death of a friend,” she said.
If passed, the Minnesota House of Representatives says the bill would allow group homes, including nursing homes, residential care homes and assisted living facilities, to serve alcoholic beverages to residents and guests during activities and events as long as they are approved by the state.
Madeline Mitchell’s role covering women and the care economy for USA TODAY is supported by a partnership with Pivotal and Journalism Funding Partners. Funders do not provide editorial input.
Contact Madeline at: memitchell@usatoday.com and @maddiemitch_ At X.
