Our Four Legged Friends

Across our Dormy Care Communities, some of the most popular visitors we welcome into our homes have four legs and wagging tails.

Today is National Dog Day and we wanted to say a huge thank you to our four-legged visitors who truly brighten the days of the ladies and gentlemen who live across our communities.

Some of our furry visitors are official Pets as Therapy animals, such as Rosie, who is a regular (and much anticipated) guest at Pine Martin Grange. A golden retriever, her gentle nature makes her a firm favourite with the ladies and gentlemen. For those people who may have to spend extended time in their rooms due to physical challenges, Rosie is happy to make individual visits too.

Another ‘professional’ canine visitor is Caspar who is much loved by the ladies and gentlemen at Bramshott Grange. Like Rosie, he is a registered PAT dog and during his rounds he likes to help people read the newspaper and is also happy to make individual visits to people’s rooms too if they would like to see him.

At Brockington House we regularly enjoy more ‘ad-hoc’ visits from the canine companions of the relatives and loved-ones of the ladies and gentlemen who live there. They always like seeing what’s on offer in the Coffee Shop, and the residents (and the staff team) are always more than happy to provide a steady steam of treats and cuddles! And Winston, one of our most regular visitors, even gets involved in birthday celebrations and is always happy to don a dapper hat for the occasion!

These visits are not just fun, they can also serve a genuinely therapeutic purpose too, helping lift the mood of people who may have had pets throughout their lives. Animal interactions can be particularly beneficial for people living with dementia. Research has shown that spending time with animals can improve self-esteem and confidence in people with dementia.

Interactions with dogs, and spending time with them regularly, can also promote quality of life and encourage independence. If a person with dementia is having trouble communicating with others or having conversations, looking after a pet may help them to stay engaged and involved.

So on National Dog Day, we’ll say a huge ‘woof’ to those four-legged friends who are having such a positive impact on the lives of the ladies and gentlemen across our care communities.