Residents at Scholars Mews Care Home in Stratford-upon-Avon enjoyed a special visit from Thor, a three-year-old Newfoundland therapy dog, as part of an initiative to enhance wellbeing through pet therapy.
Thor, accompanied by his handler Sarah Roberts from Therapy Dogs Nationwide, spent the afternoon interacting with residents, who were over the moon to get their paws on him, stroking his soft coat and experiencing his gentle nature.
The visit was arranged to provide companionship and comfort, particularly for those who have had pets in the past.
Many residents fondly recalled memories of their own dogs, finding the experience both soothing and nostalgic.
Resident, Barbara Ann, said “Oh it was wonderful. He was like a big bear. I miss my dog so much. His name was Tullus, and he was an English Bull Terrier, and he was so gentle just like Thor.”
Interaction with animals has been shown to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and boost overall emotional wellbeing, making it an im-paw-tant part of holistic care.
The Avery Healthcare-owned Care Home’s General Manager, Louise Martin, expressed how much the residents enjoyed the visit, saying, “We welcomed Sarah and beautiful Thor into our home so our residents could experience this truly wonderful dog. They loved stroking Thor and feeling how soft his coat was. He was like a big cuddly teddy bear and very gentle. The residents all said that it reminded them of their own dogs that they missed.”
Sarah Roberts thanked the care home for the warm welcome, sharing that both she and Thor had a lovely afternoon.
“Thor was thoroughly worn out after all his cuddles,” she added.
Scholars Mews Care Home is owned by Avery Healthcare, which supports initiatives like pet therapy to promote emotional wellbeing.
Visits from Therapy Dogs Nationwide, a volunteer-run organisation, provide a valuable source of comfort and connection for care home residents at no cost.
The presence of therapy animals has been shown to reduce stress and improve mood, making visits like these a real treat ‘fur’ everyone involved.
For more information on Scholars Mews Care Home or to learn about upcoming events click here, or call 01789 297589.
