At Balhousie Brookfield care home in Carnoustie, Angus there’s a very popular resident… of the four-legged variety.
Penny, a golden cocker spaniel, arrived at the care home with a resident, who has since passed away. Realising there was no family to take her in, residents and staff held a meeting and agreed to adopt her. Now Penny lives at the home – with occasional visits to staff members’ houses – and even has her own personal care plan (with notes on when she gets walked and fed!)
She also serves as a valuable ‘therapet’ for residents at the residential facility, one of 26 care homes operated by Balhousie Care Group. Residents can pet her, spend time with her and walk her in the extensive grounds.
Says Home Manager Laurie Easom: “She goes up and spends time with residents in their rooms and even that half an hour, the difference it makes to residents, and to Penny, is phenomenal.”
Deputy Home Manager Lisa Thomson adds: “She’s so sensitive to residents’ needs. She’s become one of the family.”
Penny is a bit of a local celebrity. When the home put out a request for help with grooming her, they quickly received an offer for free grooming for life from a local pet salon. The story even made the front page of the local newspaper. You can watch her film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mhxw5HkOtQ
