Residents at one of our care home's enjoy pet therapy session

Animal-loving patients at one of Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust’s residential care homes enjoyed meeting Willow, Ollie and Simba during a pet therapy session.

Patients at Clifton Lodge in Westcliff spent an hour playing with the therapy dogs last week, which proved to be a hit with everyone involved.

Pet therapy has been proven to have many benefits for mental health and help people to feel calm, provide comfort and help soothe emotions, reduce boredom, lower anxiety levels and bridge communication gaps.

Activities co-ordinator Sandie Woolford organises the monthly visits from Essex Pet Therapy Dogs.

She said: “Our residents really look forward to these visits and it really boosts morale.

“The dogs are so good with everyone it’s such a pleasure to have them visit. They visit every month although sometimes we are occasionally lucky enough to see at least one of them twice a month.

“It really engages the residents and they love to reminisce about pets they have had. We look forward to welcoming them again soon.”

Simba and Ollie’s owners Terri and Marc Broadhurst, said: “Bringing the dogs to Clifton Lodge gives us so much pleasure. We love to see the residents so happy and their smiles and the rapport they have with each other.

“It is the interaction between individual residents, the conversations they try to have and seeing their faces light up when they hear Ollie and Simba arriving that warms my heart. Simba loves being given the treats by the residents.”