HC-One care homes across the UK will mark World Animal Day on October 4 by paying tribute to the animal pets who live with them at the home and pets who visit them during pet therapy sessions to farm trips.
World Animal Day is a day that celebrates and protects animals. It is a global animal welfare movement which aims to make the world a better place for all animals.
Having a pet cat residing in a care home can offer many benefits to the elderly, including enhancing therapeutic care and providing companionship. Residents can also improve their wellbeing by engaging with their pet cats and they can help facilitate better social interaction.
Pytchley Court Care Home in Brixworth, Northampton, recently welcomed a new furry addition to Pytchley Court. Pytchley Court allows residents to keep pets, and the latest feline addition belongs to resident David Lunn, 86, who has lived at the home since December 2022.
Before coming to the home David had a Siberian Husky named Stormy, which initially stayed with his daughter while he was in the care home. They visited frequently but sadly Stormy died earlier this year.
As a replacement, David was gifted Poppy, a kitten, who is named after the well-known red flower, and the pair have not looked back since. David revealed that his new roommate reminds him of the many cats he has met over the years with his daughter.
Speaking recently, David Lunn, resident at Pytchley Court, mentioned:
“It is an unusual feeling; we are both adapting to each other, and Poppy seems to like it here.
“She is really intelligent - when she wants to be fed, she lets me know by jumping on the bed with me and bumping me with her head!”
Sue Watson, Home Manager at Pytchley Court Care Home, stated:
“We like to offer residents as many options as possible and give them a real sense of involvement in making their stay at the home worth it. It’s all about improving the quality of life in a person-centred way.
“Poppy is a lovely addition to the family here at Pytchley Court and David certainly seems to be enjoying having her with him.”
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Summerhill Care Home in Kendal, Cumbria, the home welcomed Animal Rescue Cumbria for a visit so residents could learn about how the organisation operates as a charity, as well as provide residents with the opportunity to take part in a pet therapy session by bringing in some of their dogs to visit for residents to interact with.
Residents enjoyed reminiscing about their former pets and talked about how owning pets can help combat loneliness. Animal Rescue Cumbria have agreed with Summerhill Care Home to continue visiting the home every month including hosting snuggle sessions, arts and craft sessions which will allow residents to make their own kitten toys and have invited Summerhill residents to visit the Animal Rescue Centre to meet even more cats and dogs. Summerhill look forward to working with the Animal Rescue Centre in the future to do more activities and fundraising events.
Sean Moore, Senior Wellbeing Coordinator at Summerhill Care Home, said:
“Supporting Animal Rescue Cumbria is a cause that is close to our residents’ hearts. We are excited to continue to do more work with Animal Rescue Cumbria in the future.”
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Rose Court Care Home in Radcliffe, Manchester, colleagues arranged a fun day out for residents to Meadowcroft Farm to feed the alpacas, goats, and chickens. Residents enjoyed feeding the alpacas, then moved on to feeding the goats and chickens before moving on to stroke and hold the rabbits.
Residents thoroughly enjoyed petting the wide variety of animals at the farm and learning all about where the different animals came from. Residents enjoyed learning about the different species of animals, the names they had been given and about their characters and temperament.
Residents then went on to enjoy a homemade packed lunch that had been made by Rose Court’s kitchen team whilst indulging in the onsite teas, coffees, and hot chocolates. Residents enjoyed the day trip to the farm so much that colleagues are looking to make day trips out to the farm a regular occurrence in the near future.
Leanne Batten-Smith, Home Manager at Rose Court Care Home, commented:
“Residents really enjoyed the day trip out to Meadowcroft Farm to feed the alpacas, goats, and chickens. As well as pet therapy having a number of positive wellbeing benefits for residents, residents really enjoyed improving their knowledge by learning about the different types of animals.”