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In celebration of National Dog Day last month, residents at an Exmouth care home were visited by dogs of families and carers as part of their mission to enrich the lives of all their residents.
The Fernihurst Residential Care Home residents; enjoyed a paw-some afternoon with their new four-legged friends as they were able to fuss and play with the visiting dogs.
For many of the residents, the afternoon saw them reunited with family pets and for others, they met some new canine companions.
The surprise afternoon of animal therapy was organised by the team at the Douglas Avenue care home.
Hollie Prowse, deputy manager at Fernihurst Residential Care Home, said: “We have several residents who come from families of dog lovers and owners.
“It was a such a heart-warming day seeing the smiles on their faces as family pets greeted them in the home and they were able to give the dogs some fuss.
“And for the staff, we loved having a chance to introduce our pooches to the residents too.
“Enriching the lives of our residents is always at the forefront of our minds and helping them to stay in touch with things they love is a great way to boost a sense of purpose and belonging in the home.”
Animal therapy has been proven to enhance general health and well-being and improve our emotional, social, and cognitive abilities as we age. It has also been found that the love of a furry companion can be the perfect tonic for feelings like stress and loneliness.
Margaret Hitchcock (pictured), a resident at the home, spoke about the day:
She added: “I absolutely loved seeing the dogs, they are just adorable.
“I have always been a dog person so to spend the day with them really made my week and I can’t wait for another visit soon.
“I think the dogs took a particular liking to me as I tried to sneak them a few extra treats.”
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