A FOUR-legged friend has been bringing a bit of companionship and joy to the lives of elderly residents at a Worcester nursing home.
Rosie, a curly haired Bedlington Terrier, has been visiting residents at Severn Heights in Callow End each week with her helper Antonia to provide comfort and companionship to those who live there.
The visits have been made possible thanks to Pets as Therapy, a national charity which aims to enhance the health and wellbeing in the community through the visits of trusted volunteers with their behaviourally assessed pets.
Animal therapy has been shown to help elderly people with a range of physical and mental conditions to increase enjoyment and engage in games with both the animal and other people.
The four-legged companions have also been shown to improve cognitive functioning, balance emotional concerns and increase feelings of happiness amongst the elderly.
Manager Susan Jones, said: “Our residents faces light up each time that Rosie comes through the door and they always express how grateful they are to Antonia when she comes in.
“We’ve noticed a real difference in the way that our residents interact. For some it’s given them a feeling of responsibility towards Rosie and they relax when they’re around her.
“Dogs have a particular talent for engaging individuals and Rosie is a master at bringing a smile to everyone’s face.”
