Care home tackling loneliness in residents with animal therapy

Residents from a care home in Northfleet have been celebrating the arrival of the home’s two newest residents, Penny and Kennedy the kittens.

Named by Dene Holm residential home’s residents, it is hoped the animals will combat loneliness sometimes experienced by residents who will enjoy looking after them as they grow up.

The kittens were given to the home after the cat of another member of staff working for care group The Abbeyfiel Kent Society gave birth to a litter of kittens.

So far residents have enjoyed petting and playing with Penny and Kennedy and Scott Edwards, Home Manager at Dene Holm said: “The residents were delighted with the new additions to the home and they haven’t stopped making a fuss over them yet!

“We believe pets are extremely therapeutic for older people, thus we welcome them in our homes. We used to have two dogs and relatives are invited to bring their pets in to visit the residents as this has always proved enjoyable for them.”

The therapeutic power of animals has improved the lives of many people including autistic children, stressed students and older people, with a range of animals such as owls, snakes and horses used.

National charity Pets As Therapy has been offering therapeutic visits from cats and dog since it first launched in 1983. The charity raises money to fund research into the benefits of animal therapy and enables the charity’s 4,500 PAT dogs and 108 PAT cats to visit over half a million people every year.

The Abbeyfield Kent Society provides care for over 500 older people in the South east of the UK.