Amber the Leonberger visits care home residents for animal therapy session

Residents at Newton Court Bupa Care Home have been enjoying visits from Amber, a Leonberger, as part of animal therapy sessions.

Activity Co-ordinator Louise Lee has been organising visits to the care home from Amber and her owner Rosie every three weeks. The visits have been arranged as part of Therapy Dogs Nationwide; a charity where volunteers take dogs into establishments such as care homes to provide comfort and boost the wellbeing of the people that they visit.

Amber has been visiting Newton Court for years and is firmly part of the family, bringing joy to both residents and staff alike. Regularly greeted with lots of cuddles in the lounge, Amber also pays visits to residents who are unable to come into the lounge, taking tours of their bedrooms where she’s often met with lots of treats and fuss.

One resident, Millie Hancock, aged 90, commented: “I really enjoy when Amber comes to visit, I truly love her and always look forward to seeing her. She brings a big smile to my face every time without fail.”

Another resident, Brian Lincoln, aged 83, commented: “Amber is such a lovely big dog, I always love a cuddle with her and she’s so gentle and lovely; I always look forward to her visits and am excited for her to come and see us again soon.”

Louise Lee, Activity Co-ordinator at Newton Court Bupa Care Home, commented: “We always look forward to a visit from Rosie, and Amber brings so much love to our residents. As soon as she arrives our residents give her a big cuddle and ask for kisses. They have such big smiles on their faces and the joy felt in the home is palpable when she’s here. Our nursing residents love to be visited in their beds for a cuddle, too. Animal therapy is so important to us at Newton Court, it really boosts our residents’ moods and improves wellbeing.”

Staff and residents at Newton Court are looking forward to welcoming Rosie and Amber back to the care home again soon for more animal therapy visits.

Newton Court Bupa Care Home is situated in Middlewich and welcomes residents in need of nursing or residential care including those living with early stage dementia. For further information, please visit https://www.bupa.co.uk/care-services