Sign In

Robotic Pets At Care Home

July 2, 2020

Hythe View nursing home in Hythe, Kent has had to restrict all non-essential visitors, including the dogs.

Staff at the care home noticed many of the residents were missing their interaction with their furry friends.

Bonzo the dog and Simba the cat respond to interaction and help the residents who engage with them, the home says.

“The response from the residents has been remarkable, especially for those who have dementia,” said Heather Heath, the activities co-ordinator at the care home.

“Those residents who routi nely engage with them have become less agitated, their mood has improved, and it’s reduced their reliance on calming medication.”

Ms Heath said residents had increased their social interaction thanks to the robotic pets.

“Beatrice and Hazel love sitting together with their pets – they stroke the animals while chatting to each other.”

She said another resident, Joan, was more alert and talkative, and Jackie, who is usually quite anxious, finds the interaction “very peaceful” and her anxiety “just seems to disappear”.

Hythe View, which has 40 beds, closed its doors to all but essential visitors in March.

“They may be mechanical pets but they’re very lifelike – many of the residents with dementia believe them to be real,” Ms Heath said.

“They promote a very relaxing environment and bring a lot of joy to the residents, often triggering memories of their own pets.”

Register your Dog Schedule a Visit

  • Recent News

    Students Get Therapy Dog

    When middle school students return to class on Jan. 11, they’ll find a new face at the door: Daisy. Daisy is a therapy dog and the personal pet of Rob Kreger, principal of the Rock L. Butler Middle School. The five-year-old golden retriever is not a school pet or mascot, but rather a working dog […]

    Read more

    Therapy Dogtor

    Last March, Caroline Benzel, a third-year medical student, began to notice the stress and discomfort her nurse friends were feeling from the pressures of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. “[Personal protective equipment] can be really rough on the skin,” Benzel, 31, tells PEOPLE. Benzel and her 3-year-old Rottweiler, Loki (who’s also a therapy dog) hatched a […]

    Read more

    Therapy Dog Pups

    When Stanley the miniature fox terrier’s owner passed away, the little dog started a ‘paw-some’ new role – bringing puppy love to some of the Gold Coast’s oldest residents. After Carinity Cedarbrook Diversional Therapist Julianne Staff adopted Stanley, he began visiting the aged care community at Mudgeeraba as a therapy dog. Therapy dogs help to […]

    Read more

    Therapy Dogs At School

    Those who own a dog can attest to their ability to lift mood, improve stress and bring joy by simply being there, unanswering, seemingly all-knowing and always delighted to see you.  Therapy animals are known for their calm and comforting nature, giving people a way to relax, de-stress and interact with a loving pet.  They […]

    Read more

    Wonder Dog

    For those of us with dogs, we know they quickly become major parts of the family. You live for and care for just like one of your own children, and one dog right here in Oklahoma City is beating the odds, and helping others recover as a therapy dog, despite all of the issues he’s […]

    Read more

    Scott And Charlie

    Cherokee Middle School students may do a little more “doodling” second semester starting this month (January), but also will improve their attendance marks because of a special attraction at the school, courtesy of Principal Scott Aden. Aden, an effective, caring administrator, has acquired and will house and handle a young female Golden Doodle (Charlie) that […]

    Read more

    Hope For Veterans

    E5 Therapy opened in April with a different way to help veterans in therapy. They offer canine-assisted therapy along with talk therapy to veterans and veterans’ families in Solano County. Owner Matthew Decker is a licensed clinical social worker in Northern California, focused on helping veterans achieve their mental health goals. Along with his team, […]

    Read more