Round of a-paws! Chester care home team organise special visit for resident

A care home resident in Chester was surprised with a special visit from a trio of fluffy friends.

When the team at Care UK’s Deewater Grange, on Chester Road, heard 94-year-old resident Hazel Challand’s joke that her wish was to spend time with a ‘basket of puppies’, they were more than happy to make it happen.

Having worked as a nurse, Hazel has always had a caring and nurturing nature. During her childhood, Hazel grew up with a family dog and has always had a soft spot for animals.

 

Hazel was surprised with a basket of three paw-sitively adorable pug-cross puppies, brought into the home by team member, Emma. Receiving plenty of fuss and attention, Roxy, Freddy and Pearl certainly ‘raised the woof’ for a barking mad afternoon of fun. As part of the fun-filled session, Hazel had the opportunity to get up close with the lovable and fluffy animals. 

Hazel said: “It was a lovely surprise and the puppies were so well behaved when they sat on my knee – very soft and cuddly!” 

The special visit was part of the home’s Wishing Tree Initiative, which encourages residents to put wishes forward, allowing them to reconnect with a past hobby or try something completely new – from flying on a plane to enjoying a fish and chip supper, no wish is too big or small.

Sally Cooper, Home Manager at Deewater Grange, said: “We always like to go the extra mile for residents here at Deewater Grange and when Hazel said she wanted to spend an afternoon with some fluffy friends, we were excited to make it happen for her.

“Hazel was thrilled when we surprised her with the basket of puppies and we had a paw-some time welcoming the friendly creatures into the home. We were pleased to be able to make Hazel’s wish come true and it was wonderful to see the smile on her face as she enjoyed meeting Roxy, Freddy and Pearl.

“I’d like to extend a big thank you to Emma for making Hazel’s day – she hasn’t stopped smiling since!” 

Emma’s litter of puppies, Roxy, Freddy and Pearl, all enjoyed their afternoon visit and are now back at home ready to be adopted.

Deewater Grange is a state-of-the-art home which provides full-time residential, dementia and nursing care. The home has been designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, and incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities, including its own café, bar, cinema as well as a hair and beauty salon. The layout of the building is configured into a series of individual suites, each having a dedicated lounge/dining room to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities.