A Wagging Welcome at Highwood Care Home
We were absolutely thrilled to welcome Lulu, a gentle, affectionate therapy dog whose visit lit up Highwood Care Home from top to tail! Her arrival brought smiles, comfort and a lovely calm to everyone she met, once again proving how powerful pet-therapy can be.
From cozy cuddles to quiet companionship, Lulu was a real star. Residents and staff alike enjoyed her presence throughout the day, sharing laughter, gentle pats and those heart-warming moments where simply being together made all the difference.
The Benefits of Animal Therapy in a Care Home
Bringing a therapy dog into a care setting delivers so much more than just a cute face. The research highlights some extraordinary advantages:
Emotional well-being improves through gentle companionship, petting or being near a friendly animal releases “feel-good” hormones like serotonin and oxytocin and can help reduce anxiety.
A sense of connection and purpose is fostered and residents who may feel isolated or less active find delight in loving and being loved by an animal.
It stimulates memories and conversation, the presence of a therapy dog can unlock past experiences, ignite smiles and prompt chats among residents, family and staff.
Physical and social activity may increase, even simple interactions like stroking the dog, talking to her or walking beside her boost movement and engagement.
What Happened on the Day
As Lulu settled in:
- Residents greeted her with gentle excitement and were soon sharing soft pats or strokes on her warm fur.
- Laughter and whispered memories filled corridors, “Oh I had a dog like that when I was young…” was heard more than once.
- Staff noticed calmer demeanors and more chatter between residents as the room became alive with shared joy.
- The day ended with content faces and gentle goodbyes, Lulu had clearly made an impact.
We’re delighted to share that Lulu will be returning for another visit very soon. Her time with us already feels like one of the highlights of our calendar and we can’t wait to do it all again. We’ll plan new ways to engage, perhaps more one-to-one visits, more resident-guided interactions and even small themed activities with Lulu in the mix.
A huge thank you to everyone involved, our dedicated activities and care teams who arranged the visit, Lulu’s handler for bringing such a calm and friendly companion and of course our wonderful residents who embraced the day with open hearts. Here’s to many more paws-and-smiles moments at Highwood Care Home!
