A furry, feathery welcome: the benefits of pets in our care homes
A loving pet is the best type of therapy
There is something about an animal that just makes a place feel like home. Whether it is a cat curled up on a favourite chair or a flock of chickens pottering about in the garden, animals bring a warmth and life to our homes that is hard to put into words, but easy to see on the faces of our residents.
Company that asks nothing in return
One of the loveliest things about animals is that they offer company without any expectation. A cat does not mind if you cannot remember its name today. Chickens do not care whether you had a good night's sleep. They simply are what they are, warm, curious, and present, and that can be enormously comforting.
For residents who may feel lonely, or who find conversation harder than it used to be, sitting with a cat on their lap or watching hens scratch about in the garden offers a different kind of connection. It is company that does not rely on words, which can mean a great deal, particularly for residents living with dementia.
A boost for mental health and wellbeing
The benefits of animals for mental health are well recognised, and they hold just as true in later life as at any other age. Stroking a cat has been shown to lower blood pressure and reduce feelings of anxiety. Simply having an animal nearby can ease agitation and bring a sense of calm to the day. There is also real joy in it, and joy matters. A resident who lights up at the sight of a cat trotting into the room, or who chuckles at the antics of the chickens, is having a genuinely good moment, and those moments add up.
Animals can also help residents feel needed again. Many of our residents spent years caring for others, whether that was children, grandchildren, or pets of their own, and having a small responsibility, even something as simple as feeding a cat or collecting the morning eggs, can restore a lovely sense of purpose.
Chickens in the garden
Our chickens have become firm favourites in the homes lucky enough to have them. There is something quietly satisfying about pottering out to the garden, checking on the hens, and collecting the eggs. It is a gentle task, but a meaningful one, and residents often take real pride in looking after them. Watching the chickens go about their day, pecking, scratching, and clucking away, also brings plenty of entertainment, and more than a few laughs.
For residents who grew up around animals, whether on farms or simply with hens in the back garden, chickens can bring back happy memories too. It is a wonderful example of how something so simple can spark conversation and connection.
A talking point and a shared experience
Animals also give residents and their families something easy to talk about. A visiting grandchild might be far more excited to see the resident cat than to sit through a formal chat, and that shared moment, fussing over an animal together, can bring real warmth to a visit. It is often animals, rather than anything else, that help younger visitors feel comfortable and at ease in a care home setting.
A home that feels like home
Ultimately, having pets and animals around is about making our homes feel less like institutions and more like, well, home. A cat asleep in a sunny spot, hens pottering in the garden, these are the small, everyday touches that bring warmth, comfort, and a little bit of joy to daily life.
If you would like to know more about the animals at any of our homes, do get in touch, or follow along with their antics on our Facebook page
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