At Friends of the Elderly, we love pets. Knowing how much many of our residents adore all types of animals, we are launching a ‘fur-bulous’ social media campaign – #FurryFriends.
“We have lots of pets living in our care homes, and many visiting animals too. From budgies to cats, from dogs to rabbits – even the odd visiting llama or goat – or Muntjac Deer roaming around one of our care home’s grounds. Our residents love spending time with animals and reminiscing about their own pets, it brings them so much happiness,” said Jessica Dean, Head of Marketing and Communications.
“With this in mind, over the summer, we are running our #FurryFriends campaign,” Jessica continued. “We’ll be asking the public to send us pictures of their own #FurryFriends which we will share with our residents and on our Facebook channel. In addition, judged by a group of our residents and day care clients, one lucky pet will be chosen as ‘The Furry Friend of the Month’ and will receive a little treat.”
All our care homes and day care centres are animal-friendly, and each has their own, small menagerie of members. Talking about a few of the charity’s #FurryFriends, Jessica continued: “At Redcot, our residential care home in Haslemere, two beautiful cats – Socks and Slippers – are always happy to cuddle up to the residents without any ‘purr-suasion’.
“At Bernard Sunley, the charity’s residential, nursing and dementia care home in Woking, Jazz the Care Home Manager’s dog, does her daily rounds to check in with our residents who are dog fans, and at Orford House, our residential care home in Coulsdon we have Teddy the cat and Rosie the rabbit.”
Many of our care homes and day care centres have regular animal visits as well, including Pets As Therapy (PAT) Dogs whose visits bring joy, smiles and happiness to residents. At Little Bramingham Farm, our residential care home in Luton, PAT Dog Winnie the Pooch never misses her weekly social call; and Monty, another PAT Dog, is a regular at the charity’s Malvern Day Care.
“There are many benefits of interacting with pets for residents,” added Jessica. “They can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, increase social interaction and physical activity. A cuddle from a friendly dog, a purring cat, cute rabbit or a nose-twitching guinea pig, really does go a long way.”
In closing Jessica added: “Our #FurryFriends campaign launches today, and we would love for members of the public to email a picture of their Furry Friend to comms@fote.org.uk or, alternatively, post your pooch, cat, rabbit or any of your #FurryFriends on social media, tagging us at @FriendsElderly.
“There may even be many more exotic pets whose pictures we receive, that the residents and clients will ‘paws-itively’ adore. We are looking forward to seeing who can impress the older people we support and become this summer’s monthly Furry Friend of the month.”
To submit your own Furry Friend, email comms@fote.org.uk.