Norfolk care home meets a man’s best friend

PHOTO: East Daily Press

A care home in Downham Market, Norfolk, have been spending some much-loved time with a man’s best friend.

Residents at Downham Grange are experiencing regular visits from therapy dogs, family pets – even a bird thrown in to the mix.

New manager, Dani Gaston, has two dogs of her own and understands the positive impact the animals are having on the residents. She said: “We have regular visits from a Pets as Therapy dogs and the families of our residents bring a variety of pets into the home with them – we even have a canary among our regular visitors.

Trish Betts brings her black Labradors, Guinness and Tattie, into the home – and all the residents love to see them, not just her mother.”

Ms Gaston became the homes manager earlier this year and said moving into the care home can be difficult for people used to having pets in their life.

“It creates a real sense of home if there are dogs around – that’s why we encourage them,” Ms Gaston added.

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