Therapet Dog Brings Smiles To Resident’s Faces

The Residents of a Perth-based care home made friends with a young black Labrador this week following their first Therapet visit.

Thor the therapy dog bounced into HC-One’s Strathtay House Care Home in Perth with his owner Lynn, to provide comfort and companionship to all that live there.

The Therapet Visiting Service is an initiative organised by Canine Concern Scotland Trust, which aims to enhance the health and wellbeing in the community through the visits of trusted volunteers with their good-natured dogs.

Judith Meaden, HC-One’s Strathtay House Home Manager, commented: “It was only the first visit, but you could see our Residents’ faces light up when Thor arrived with Lynn. Dogs have a particular talent for engaging people and Thor was a master at bringing a smile to everyone’s face.”

Animal therapy has been shown to help elderly people with a range of physical and mental conditions to increase enjoyment and engage in games with both the animal and other people. Animals have also been shown to improve cognitive functioning, balance emotional concerns and increase feelings of happiness amongst the elderly.

Therapet volunteers visit hospitals, hospices, nursing and care homes, special needs schools and a variety of other venues with their beloved animals.