Mayor joins Orpington care home for paw-some dog show

A care home in Orpington has announced the winners of its barking mad competition. 

Care UK’s Foxbridge House, on Sevenoaks Road, ‘raised the woof’ with its very own edition of Crufts. As part of the contest, team members at the care home and the residents’ relatives were invited to showcase their dogs’ skills and good looks.

Joining the judging line-up was special guest, the Mayor of Bromley, Councillor Mike Botting, who joined the home’s oldest resident and World War Two veteran, Peter Lemon, 103, who together whittled down the top contenders.  

Nine im-paw-sibly adorable dogs entered, with many winners receiving rosettes handed out, including Nigel a Chihuahua, who won Cutest Smile, Ivy, a puppy Cocapoo, who won Waggiest Tail, and Mia, a Jack Russell, who secured the Judges Choice award.

Stella Barnes, Home Manager at Foxbridge House, said: “We’re pleased to say our dog show was a resounding success. We loved seeing so many wonderful dogs strutting into our home – they made it very hard to pick a winner.

“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. Many residents used to have dogs in their younger years, so they were thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of our judging panel and to meet so many adorable pooches. 

“We’d like to say a big thank you to Councillor Mike Botting for coming along to Foxbridge House to judge the competition and wish a big congratulations to our winners – they certainly raised the woof this year!” 

Foxbridge House is a purpose-built care home designed to deliver luxury hotel-style comfort for residents, complete with a café, hair and beauty salon, cinema and beautiful gardens. The home is divided into separate residential, nursing and dementia care suites, encouraging close-knit communities where residents can get to know each other, and where people with similar needs can be cared for together.