It’s a Wednesday morning at Mercer Island Care and Rehabilitation and some of the facility’s residents are discussing an upcoming rummage sale in the lounge. A butterscotch-and-white Chihuahua named Sophie sits in Loa Jordan’s arms, quietly observing the room and gently wagging her tail.

Sophie is tiny, so small you could almost miss her at first glance. But ask any resident — especially Jordan — and they’ll tell you her presence is widely known and appreciated at the facility.

“She’s really made herself a home here,” said Jordan, who is a resident and Sophie’s primary caretaker. Sophie’s been at the care center for just two months, but she’s already become a part of everyone’s lives.

Sophie joined two resident cats, Meow and Candy, at the home. The two cats, who have been there for two years, are equally important to the residents.

Meow is feisty and “loves attention,” said Beth Ihde, the facility’s administrator. Candy likes to ride in the elevator, and both cats wander freely about the residence, bobbing in and out of rooms and periodically napping on linen carts in the halls.

The cats originally belonged to Lyro Downey, the activities director of the facility, but eventually became a permanent fixture.

The residents enjoy the animals and are quick to share stories, lighting up with enthusiasm to talk about Sophie, Meow and Candy.

“That’s what really turned me onto this place,” said resident Carol Whitlow. “I came here because they have pets.”

Ihde has witnessed many times the healing power the animals bring with them, and said it’s not something subtle.

“It’s proven. Having a pet around can cut healing time in half,” she said. Loa Jordan was very depressed and despondent a few months ago, but has done a complete turnaround since the arrival of Sophie.

“The depression is gone now, she has a home in my room and we both do well,” said Loa Jordan as she stroked the sleepy dog, offering her a treat from a bag she keeps attached to her wheelchair.

Sophie and Loa Jordan are even kind of a welcoming committee now, greeting new residents when they arrive.

The cats also seem to have an intuitive sense for how residents are feeling, said Ihde.

“When someone’s not doing well or is pretty sick, Candy will go curl up on their bed, or sit outside their door to be near them,” Ihde said. “They know what’s going on.”

The facility has long welcomed animals through its doors, for residents and employees. Ihde said it makes the place feel more home-like, especially when employees themselves sometimes spend more time there caring for patients than they do at their own homes.

Jackie Glen is the business office manager at Mercer Island Care and Rehabilitation and has Manny, a one-year-old blue heeler, sleeping under her desk on most days. When someone enters the room, he barks and cheerfully greets them, always on the lookout for a playmate. Glen has been bringing Manny to work since he was a puppy, and she says the residents aren’t scared of his size.

“He’s bigger than Sophie, but I think it makes them curious, they want to come say hi to him,” Glen said.

Ihde also invites resident’s family members to bring family pets in with them when they come to visit, knowing that it’s hard for people to be away from their pets when they are sick or living at the center.

They’re also thinking about adding more pets for the residents — Ihde is thinking fish, because of their calming effect.

“But I want something that I can pet,” said Whitlow of Ihde’s suggestion, laughing.

“The more the merrier,” said Ihde. “We’re always thinking about adding more to our menagerie.”

The staff encourages residents to be independent, to continue living their own lives even though they live at the facility. Loa Jordan takes Sophie with her on shopping outings, to restaurants, and even lets the dog get an occasional pedicure.

“Animals truly do empower people to live,” said Downey.

Loa Jordan and the other residents at Mercer Island Care and Rehabilitation are doing just that. With Sophie, Meow and Candy by their side, of course.