RESIDENTS at Morpeth’s Riverside House care home have a new four-legged friend who visits weekly for afternoons of fun, treats and cuddles.
Isla, a rescued border collie, is visiting the home every Friday with her owner and local scout leader Sally Vaughan to offer animal therapy sessions.
The sessions aim to improve the wellbeing and health of residents, including support for those with dementia and can even unlock forgotten memories.
She enjoys strolling around the common areas of the home, chasing after soft balls thrown by residents, being stroked, and wagging her tail.
Activities co-ordinator Richard Dobinson said: “Pet therapy is known to help with mental stimulation and encourages interaction and social contact and it can even help reduce blood pressure.
“These visits bring a real smile to the faces of our residents and bring back happy memories of times past. It is only one of the many activities we put on, which include performances from an Elvis tribute and visits from local nursery children.”
The visit has been orchestrated in partnership with Pets As Therapy, which was founded in 1983 and is solely run by volunteers to provide visiting services in hospitals, care homes, schools and other establishments.