Pet therapy sessions help Bakewell care home residents

ISLA the dog has been keeping Bakewell care home residents company as part of a Pets As Therapy session.

Those living at Burton Closes Hall Care Home enjoyed meeting the pet pooch, who belongs to Janet Mason, from Hartington, Derbyshire.

She is a volunteer with the national charity, which organises visits to nursing and care homes, hospitals, hospices, special needs schools and other venues.

Isla and Janet will start paying weekly visits to the residents at Burton Closes Hall, on Haddon Road, for animal therapy sessions.

The sessions have proven benefits for residents, especially those living with dementia, according to Burton Closes Hall Care Home manager Hazel Jones.

She said: “We have run animal therapy sessions with the residents before and they have been shown to improve social engagement and communication.

“They also help lessen any feelings of depression, loneliness, boredom and anxiety.

“Everyone loved meeting Isla and we can’t thank her owner, Janet, enough for coming to see us. We’re all looking forward to the next visit.”