‘Round of a-paws’ as local care home hires pawsitive energy coordinator

A care home in Adderbury has officially welcomed a new team member – and she’s set to be a paw-some hit with residents and colleagues alike.   

Mollie, a 14-week-old Cockapoo, has joined the team at Care UK’s Seccombe Court on Gardner Way. She will oversee ‘pawsitive energy’ at the home and be on hand for residents to fuss, walk, or simply spend time with on a weekly basis.  

The home created the part-time role after being inspired by the positive impact animal visits have had on care home residents’ wellbeing.

Having a dog to take care of in the home not only encourages residents to spend time outdoors walking their canine companion, leading to physical benefits, but it also helps them find a sense of purpose later in life. 

Mollie is an affectionate puppy that loves spending time with residents – in exchange for treats and games of fetch in the garden. She also likes to sit in on new team member interviews to ensure that that they will love the residents as much as she does.  

Mollie, who belongs to the home’s Activities Coordinator, Rosemary Gibbard has been given the official title of ‘Pawsitive Energy Coordinator’, which involves spending most of her time with residents, as well as helping the domestic team by picking up any rogue crumbs on the floor.  

Wojciech Kuczkowski, General Manager at Seccombe Court, said: “When we saw other Care UK homes see dogs joining their teams, we knew we had the perfect pooch to fill the role here at Seccombe Court. We are very fur-tunate to have Mollie officially joining the team.  

 

“The human-animal bond can be incredibly powerful in promoting positive wellbeing and introducing dogs into care homes has proven to have many benefits, including lifting people’s mood and increasing social interaction. For older people, particularly those living with dementia, four-legged friends can help to bring back fond memories of time spent with their own pets in younger years.  

“We’re thrilled to give Mollie her official title, she makes a paw-fect addition to our Seccombe Court team!” 

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Seccombe Court incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities. The home provides full-time residential care, nursing care, dementia care and respite care.