Bringing smiles to care home residents
Donations made in memory of much-loved mam, sister and grandma are bringing smiles to care home residents. This is happening through a series of dog therapy visits.
Beryl Flattley always looked forward to the visits of dogs from the Caremark Redcar and Cleveland CareBark service. She enjoyed these visits when she was a resident at the Yew Tree Care Centre in Redcar.
After her sad recent passing, Beryl’s daughters, Rachel and Karen, asked family and friends to make donations to the home. They then decided to purchase the dog therapy sessions with the money raised, rather than send flowers for the funeral.
The money raised has paid for ten animal-assisted therapy sessions from Caremark. This is giving residents the chance to spend time with specially trained therapy dogs.
Something positive in her memory
Rachel said she and Karen wanted to do something positive in their mam’s memory. They also wanted to give something back to the people who had shared Beryl’s home.
“My mam liked being at Yew Tree Care Centre,” said Rachel. “She liked the staff and she liked the people she lived with. They made it a happy place for us, so this was about giving something back to them and we would like to thank everyone who donated.”
Beryl had always loved dogs and had a Dachshund called Candy, which she adored. In addition, she also enjoyed spending time with Karen’s dogs.
The first funded session has already taken place. During this session, Rachel joined four therapy dogs — Shadow, Star, Sonny and Wren — for a visit to the home.
The dogs cheer everyone up
Rachel said: “It was lovely to see the residents smiling with the dogs. They interact with everyone, some of them try to sit on people’s laps, and they just like being patted. It is nice to see the residents interacting with them.
“The dogs cheer everyone up. Some residents are in the home all day, so it gives them something different to enjoy and you can see how happy they are when the dogs are there. It should be used more really because everybody loves them.”
Caremark Redcar and Cleveland’s CareBark service was set up in 2023. It has grown to support people across the area through animal-assisted therapy visits in homes, care settings, schools, colleges, day centres and community venues.
Support wellbeing and reduce loneliness
The CareBark service uses trained therapy dogs and handlers to support wellbeing and help reduce loneliness. More importantly, it encourages interaction and brings comfort and companionship to people of all ages.
Michelle Jackson, Managing Director of Caremark Redcar and Cleveland, said: “This is such a thoughtful and generous gesture from Rachel, Karen and everyone who donated in Beryl’s memory.
“Our dogs have a wonderful ability to make people smile, start conversations and bring a real sense of warmth into a room. To know these sessions have been funded in memory of someone as much loved as Beryl was makes them even more special.”
About Caremark Redcar and Cleveland
People interested in finding out more about the dog therapy service can call us on 01287 634706. Alternatively, view our dog therapy services in Redcar and Cleveland.