Celebrating Animal Therapy on National Love Your Pet Day!

As it’s National Love Your Pet Day today, we just wanted to celebrate the role of animals, including pets, that come to visit us at Cramlington House and West Farm and the impact they have on the wellbeing of our residents.

Residents at both Cramlington House and West Farm have a range of different needs and it’s vital specifically designed activity programmes are put in place to ensure each resident receives the care they need. Animal assisted care initiatives play a huge role in their care and the impact they have is wonderful to see.

Loraine Brunton, our General Manager, said: “Animals play such an important part in residents’ lives day in, day out. At Cramlington House, we have our resident pet rabbits, Jack and Irene, who make such a positive difference. One resident in particular, called Jack, has responded incredibly well to the rabbits, developing a close bond with them and spending time caring for them, which has genuinely made him more relaxed and happier.”

“In another example, a resident’s wife recently bought a puppy as she felt lonely following her husband’s move into Cramlington House. Oscar has not only provided great company to the spouse outside of the home, but he is also often at Cramlington House, visiting the resident, Tommy, and spending time with him, which has greatly helped Tommy to feel at home and continue his close relationship with Maxine, his wife. For Tommy, it’s just like he’s at home with his wife and puppy when they come to visit and the effects on them all is lovely to observe.”

Given the special day, lets not forget about a resident’s two budgies, Blueie and Greenie, who live with her in her room at West Farm, keeping her company. Suzanna used to have budgies when at home so, working with her family, we agreed this would be a good thing to do in terms of her care at West Farm.

We also have specially trained therapy dogs that visit residents regularly throughout the month, including dementia friendly dogs, which receive a great response from residents and play a key role in the overall care of residents.

Happy Love Your Pet Day Everyone!

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What people are saying

"I am very pleased with how my mother has settled in and generally how supportive and caring the staff are. This has given us peace of mind knowing that she is safe & well looked after. Thank you."
"Our mum has been a resident at Cramlington House for over a year and we have nothing but praise for the friendly, approachable staff and management. We always feel like part of an extended family and when we visit nothing is too much bother. We are completely happy with the standard of care, support and understanding we all receive as a family."
"From the first day, I knew it was the place for my mum. Clean, friendly staff, lovely environment! My mum would not get the opportunity to do the activities she is experiencing if she was not in Cramlington House. It is home from home and we can visit anytime. I can't say enough of how great Cramlington House is. "
"This is an absolutely superb care facility. The staff say that this is the home of the residents, in which they work - and they evidence that philosophy every day. In the last months of our mother's long life, we took comfort form the fact that she was safe and secure, being well-fed and looked after. The entire care team are brilliant. "
"All the staff at West Farm have provided such wonderful care, compassion and support to my auntie. We both feel incredibly lucky to have found West Farm, it’s been the perfect home for my auntie. I can honestly say, hand on heart, every aspect of the care provided by each member of staff at West Farm has been outstanding."