Volunteers who take therapy animals into a Rayleigh nursing home have shared how the visits bring joy to them as well as the residents.
Dogs, owls, and a pony are among the therapy animals that have visited Rawreth Court over the years.
The nursing home is run by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust and provides care for older people, including those with dementia.
This World Alzheimer’s Month, the Trust is highlighting how therapy animals play an important part in the activities offered by Rawreth Court to engage residents, promote feelings of wellbeing and encourage social interaction.
Rawreth Court recently achieved the Gold Standards Framework Hallmark Award for the quality of its end-of life care.
Secret is a miniature Shetland pony from Silverbirch Farm Alternative Provision and Animal Therapy in Leigh-on-Sea, who has been a regular visitor for two years.
Nicola Birch, from Silverbirch Farm, said: “Seeing the residents’ reactions when Secret arrives is incredibly special, and it’s wonderful to watch the smiles, conversations and memories that she helps to bring back.
“These visits bring so much joy, not only to the residents but also to the staff and our team. We couldn’t think of a better way to spend our time, and we feel privileged to be able to make such a positive difference through our therapy pony visits.”
Residents have also met owls from Owl Adventures and receive regular visits from two Pets as Therapy volunteers, Sarah Brown and her dog Marcel, and Sylvie Hartnell and her dog Ripple.
Sarah became a volunteer after retiring from her role as a primary school special educational needs coordinator.
She had adopted Marcel, who had to withdraw from his training as a guide dog because of elbow dysplasia, a painful condition that causes one or both elbows to develop abnormally.
Sarah wanted to give her free time and Marcel’s training back to the community and they both enjoy visiting Rawreth Court.
She said: “It gives me great joy to see the residents’ eyes light up when they see Marcel. I always say if we make a difference to just one person, it is worth the visit.
“Marcel also loves visiting. Aside from the occasional dog treat that the residents give him, he is more than happy to sit at their feet and be fussed!
“Just as importantly, staff love to see Marcel too. With their often stressful and demanding role, seeing Marcel always brings a smile to their faces.”
Sylvie Hartnell and her dog Ripple have been visiting Rawreth Court for just over two years.
She said: “I first heard about Pets as Therapy through a colleague at work and immediately thought it sounded like a wonderful initiative.
“It also made me aware of the positive impact my two miniature dachshunds had on my grandad, who sadly lived with dementia.
“They seemed to bring him great comfort and having them beside him gave him something to focus on and interact with.”
Sylvie said Ripple is very gentle, loving and tolerant and it has been a privilege to see the impact she has whenever she visits the nursing home.
“She has helped calm people, encouraged some non-verbal residents to communicate, sparked fond memories for those who once owned dogs, and most importantly, brought countless smiles,” said Sylvie.
“Seeing the difference Ripple makes is incredibly rewarding. The visits also provide me with an hour away from the everyday pressures of work and life, which is a benefit I hadn’t anticipated.
“I would wholeheartedly encourage others to get involved and experience the joy that therapy animals can bring to others and to themselves.”
About EPUT:
- EPUT has a vision to be the leading health and wellbeing service in the provision of mental health and community care: Who we are – Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
- EPUT provides services to more than 100,000 patients at any one time and our staff are focused on providing high quality care in often complex situations.
- The organisation has invested in inpatient facilities and community services to make them safer and more therapeutic. We have extensively invested in technology to keep patients safer, enhanced training, and are continuously working with our staff, patients, their families and carers to use learning and best practice to enhance our quality of care.
- While there is more to do, the Trust has made significant progress through innovation:
- Our 111 mental health crisis phone line ensures people in need can access support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
- People with lived experience have been employed in designated roles across the Trust, ensuring patient voice is heart of the organisation and all that we do.
- A number of new initiatives have been launched, helping people access the support they need when they need it most. These include a mental health urgent care department, By Your Side maternal mental health service, Rough Sleeper team, mental health crisis ambulance cars, virtual wards and neuromodulation service.
- EPUT was formed on 1 April 2017 and provides community health, mental health and learning disability services across Essex, Luton and Bedfordshire and Suffolk. We employ more than 7,200 staff working across more than 200 sites.
- To read more about our priorities and commitments to deliver the highest quality and safest care possible, visit https://eput.nhs.uk/about-us/2023-2028-strategic-plan