Sway care home hosts own community dog café

 

A care home in Sway invited the local community to a barking-mad event.  

The team at Care UK’s Sway Place, on Church Lane, invited local members of the community and their furry friends to the latest event to the home – a Dog Café. 

Attendees, both two and four-legged, were able to enjoy puppy themed treats and drinks while meeting other furry friends. Proudly strutting into the home were Rusty Cavalia King Charles, Buster the Cocker spaniel, Golden Retriever Called Evie, Mable the West Highland terror and Kenart the Labradoodle, who enjoyed plenty of fuss from residents and playing with the other pooches – before being treated to their own pup-cakes which were baked purposely by the home’s Head Chef. 

The home created the event after being inspired by the positive impact animal visits have had on the residents’ wellbeing. After hearing how much they enjoyed the company of their own pets in younger years, the team were keen to create an event which would offer an opportunity for residents to reminiscence about their family pets – while enjoying the company of some energetic new puppies!

Sway Place is a dog-friendly home with many residents having a dog of their own living with them. The care team also organise for a therapy dog, Rosie from ‘Pets As Therapy’ to visit the home each week for animal therapy with the residents. 

Commenting on the event, Sue a resident at Sway Place, said: “Me and my dog Buster had a great time getting to know the other canine companions and their owners in the community. Buster enjoyed attending – especially the pup cakes!”

Laura Blake Home Admissions Advisor at Sway Place said: “We certainly raised the woof with the local community at our newly launched Dog Café. This event provided us with an excellent opportunity to welcome the local community into the home while enjoying the company of furry friends.

“Studies have shown that introducing dogs into care homes can help lift people’s mood and increase social interaction. The human-animal bond is powerful in promoting self-esteem and wellbeing – which our Dog Café event was brilliant for. Having dogs in the home not only encourages residents to spend time outdoors, leading to physical benefits, but it also helps them to lead fulfilling lives, improving wellbeing and boosting endorphins.

“Whether you have a dog or not, we’d encourage animals lovers in the community to come along to our next event – where we’re certainly set to have another barking good time!”  

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Sway Place incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities. The home provides full-time residential care, dementia care and respite care. The layout of the building is configured into a series of individual suites, and 14 independent living cottages, each having a dedicated lounge/dining room to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities.