Canine companion brings joy to care home residents

A CANINE companion has been helping care home residents with dementia by providing company and cuddles.

Oscar the PAT dog and his owner Paula Gascoigne have paid a visit to Waverley Lodge Care Home, in Lemington, Newcastle.

Paula, who is from Dumpling Hall, Newcastle, is a volunteer with North East based friendship dogs charity, Wag and Company.

They enable visiting dog teams to build meaningful new friendships with older dog lovers.

Michelle Park, activities coordinator at Waverley Lodge Care Home, on Bewick Crescent, said: “Our residents loved seeing Oscar and the smiles on their faces just said it all.

“We are so grateful to Paula and Oscar for visiting and we hope to see them again soon.”

PAT (Pets in Therapy) dogs provide companionship and friendship to help tackle loneliness. They also support those with mental and physical health conditions such as autism, dementia and strokes as part of their therapeutic treatment.

You can find out more about volunteering with your pet at www.petsastherapy.org.