Residents at Orchard House have enjoyed a visit from a group of therapy dogs, with the home now sponsoring a puppy named Zara as she trains to provide comfort and companionship to others.
The team from Ability 4 Dogs visited Orchard House for a community engagement event, giving residents the chance to meet therapy dogs Cyril, Clive and Sami.
Residents learned more about the training and dedication involved in preparing the animals to provide emotional support, companionship and comfort to people of different ages and backgrounds.
The visit also marked the beginning of a new partnership between Orchard House and Ability 4 Dogs.
Orchard House has announced it will sponsor Zara, Cyril’s sister, who is currently undergoing training to become a therapy dog.
The sponsorship will help provide resources for Zara as she progresses through her development and training.
Residents heard about the puppy’s journey and how therapy dogs can make a difference to people’s wellbeing, with the visit also prompting conversations about their own pets and the impact animals have had on their lives.
Amanda Oxley, General Operations Manager of Orchard House, has said:
“We were honoured to welcome the Ability 4 Dogs team to Orchard House. The visit brought so much joy to our residents, and it was inspiring to learn about the incredible work the charity does.
“We are delighted to sponsor Zara and look forward to following her progress as she grows into a Therapy Dog, knowing that our support will help her bring comfort and companionship to many people in the future.”
Orchard House says community engagement remains an important part of life at the home, with partnerships providing opportunities to support organisations while creating experiences for residents.
The team has thanked Ability 4 Dogs for the visit and says it is looking forward to welcoming Zara to Orchard House as she progresses through her training.
Residents will also be following her milestones on the journey towards becoming a fully qualified therapy dog.
