This adorable, young pup was one of a family of five which caused quite a stir when they visited The Chiswick Nursing Centre recently. They were brought along by their very kind owner who lives nearby. Needless to say, our residents (and staff) were totally besotted, all patiently waiting to stroke, pat, cuddle or tempt them with oatie biscuits.
For such young dogs, the pups were remarkably well behaved and carried out their mission beautifully. You just had to look at the smiles on people’s faces to see that. They left everyone wanting more but thrilled to have made their acquaintance.
The therapeutic benefits of encounters with dogs, cats and other pets for those living with mental health conditions, including anxiety and dementia are well documented. Here, at The Chiswick, we endeavour to bring about those interactions on a regular basis. The varied list of creatures that have visited include domestic pets as well as the more exotic alpacas, reptiles and birds of prey. Look out for our next Alpaca visit in May.