A Nursing Home Visit Filled With Puppy Love and Warm Smiles

For over three decades, Brett Kaemmerer has shared his life with Boxers—those wiggly bundles of energy with expressive faces and big hearts. As the founder of the Facebook community Everyday Boxer, which now connects nearly 50,000 Boxer enthusiasts, Brett occasionally breeds pups and is passionate about their early socialization.

But Brett’s approach goes beyond just preparing puppies for the world—he uses them to brighten the lives of those who often get forgotten.

Once the puppies are about six weeks old, he starts taking them on heartwarming visits to Four Fountains nursing home.

These visits aren’t just about the dogs. They’re about connection.

As a child, Brett would accompany his grandmother every Tuesday to visit her mother in a nursing home. That routine lasted nearly ten years. Later, when his own grandmother spent her final year in the same facility, his family made sure she was never alone.

Sadly, not all residents are so lucky. Many spend years without a single visitor.

“When I walk in with a basket full of curious little pups, everything changes—even if only for a while,” Brett shares. “The room fills with joy. Residents light up, tell stories about pets they once loved, and laugh like kids again.”

It’s a moment of magic that reminds us all of the healing power of companionship—especially the furry kind.

Brett hopes that sharing this joy will inspire others to consider bringing their own gentle pets for a visit, turning ordinary days into unforgettable ones for those who need it most.