A pawfect day – Ashford care home hosts dog show with a twist

Home news

Apr 21, 2021

A care home in Ashford hosted a barking mad competition for a good cause.  

Care UK’s Montfort Manor, on Kennington Road, hosted its very own edition of Crufts and raised £200 for Dementia UK, which provides advice and support for people living with Dementia and their families.  

As part of the contest, judged by our residents, members of the community were invited to showcase their dogs’ skills and good looks in one or more of the three possible categories: ‘Beautiful Lady’, ‘Prettiest Pooch’, and ‘Happiest Face’. And far the most popular was the “Best Background” where there was a picture of a Highland Cow with Jaffa the Poodle.

Angel, a Yorkshire terrier, impressed residents with her cute face and took home the ‘beautiful lady’ prize, while Hudson, a Cockapoo, won the ‘handsome chap’ prize because of his amazing curls and his loving look.  The winning dogs were all sent a trophy for their efforts.

The dog show also provided a valuable reminiscence activity for residents, who enjoyed chatting about pets they had owned in their younger years, and was particularly beneficial for those who live with dementia.

Cheryl Shorter, Home Manager at Montfort Manor, said: “We loved hosting the dog show and voting for our favourite pooches. It proved a great way to engage with the local community safely during this time – and we are delighted to have raised £200 for a cause that is close to everyone’s hearts here at Montfort Manor.

“We’re committed to supporting residents to live fulfilling lives, and activities like our dog show help residents to reconnect with interests and hobbies they had when they were younger. We know just how beneficial animal therapy can be for older people, especially for those living with Dementia, as being close to animals can help lift a person’s mood and stimulate social interaction. With current restrictions in place, a virtual pet competition seemed like the next best thing, and residents were thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of our judging panel.

“We’d like to thank everyone who took part, donated funds for an incredible charity and gave us all a day to remember!”

Montfort Manor is a purpose-built care home which has been designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence. The home provides full-time residential, nursing and specialist dementia care for older people in Ashford, and incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities, including its own cinema, hairdressing salon and café.

For more information, please email Customer Relations Manager, Nicola Young, at nicola.young@careuk.com or call 01233 884 619

For more general information, please visit: careuk.com/montfort-manor