Some very special four-legged friends have been bringing smiles, laughter and lots of cuddles to Residents at HC-One’s
Overdene House residential and nursing care home, in Cheshire.
Home Manager, Cath Burns, has always brought her dogs to work with her. This started with one dog, 3 years ago and there’s now a total of three beautiful canine friends, “When I realised the smiles they bought and the calming effect they had on Residents, I had to get more!”
Poppy a brown and white Jack Russell Terrier cross; she was a rescue dog at three weeks old and Cath had to hand rear her. She was two years old when Cath started at Overdene House and she soon became the princess to all Residents; loving kisses but very sloppy!
Nelson is also a Jack Russell Terrier and came to Cath at 4 weeks old. He has been bought up at Overdene House and loves to go around for cuddles, scrounging for food and laying on beds of those that are poorly. He really is a great therapy dog and all love him; he is definitely the “Residents’ dog”
Maisie is descried as cute, cuddly, naughty and cheeky (but still learning!). She loves going in the pools then running and shaking making everyone laugh!
All of the dogs have a bed under Cath’s desk and are so good and well-behaved, they make everyone proud
Residents love the cuddles and the games they play with the dogs (their favourite is ‘keepy uppy balloon’)
One of the Residents commented, “It wouldn’t be the same without them they make me laugh!”
Another fellow Resident commented, “Nelson looks like my old dog. I love the company and the hugs.”
Cath commented, “They are my dogs but belong to all of my Residents, I do not see them from 8am until 6pm as they just go visit and curl up with Residents.”
“These dogs have bought happiness and laughter, and they have encouraged exercise and mobility. The dogs have kept the poorly Residents company, given out love and cuddles to those missing loved ones and have bought some lovely memories back about Residents’ own dogs which has started up long conversations about the good times they had with their own dogs. They make us all smile every day!”