Uckfield care home welcomes pets as therapy visit

Residents at Hurstwood View care home, in Uckfield received a wonderful visit from their four-legged staff member, Jessie, their PAT dog. Jessie went round to all residents on the nursing and dementia floors to bring smiles and cuddles to everyone who wanted them.

Pet therapy dogs are a fundamental key for care home residents that cannot look after pets anymore. Interacting with dogs often triggers happy memories and helps residents living with dementia recall stories about their own past pets. When dogs give calming physical contact, this helps reduce anxiety and lowers stress hormones.

Esther, General Manager at Hurstwood View Care Home said: “Our home is always excited when dogs visit. We have a lot of staff members that own dogs and always welcome family members pooches into the home for visits. The dogs that visit Hurstwood View always brings smiles and brightens up daily routines to all.”