Little Bramingham Farm, the Luton-based residential care dwelling run by charity Pals of the Aged, has a brand new four-legged pal who frequently visits the residents for mornings of enjoyable, video games and cuddles: remedy canine Winnie.
Winnie – affectionately known as ‘Winnie The Pooch’ – is a Blue Roan coated Cockapoo and a professional Remedy Dog who spends each Monday morning with the Little Bramingham Farm residents. Winnie is kind of a personality and loves nothing greater than taking part in video games, doing her methods for treats and snuggling up for cuddles.
Martin Rodker, Winnie’s proprietor and coach stated, “Winnie loves coming along to Little Bramingham Farm for her weekly visits and she adores the residents just as much as they adore her.”
Martin added, “Winnie was assessed as a Pets As Therapy (PAT) dog, not an Assistance Dog and meaning she brings benefits to people in a therapeutic way. PAT is a national charity which is devoted to enhancing the health and well-being of thousands of people across the UK through striving to ensure that everyone, no matter their circumstances, has access to the companionship of an animal. A stroke and a cuddle from a friendly dog goes a long way.”
The distinction between an Help Dog and a Remedy Dog is that an Help Dog has been educated to carry out a selected set of duties and concentrate on a single individual similar to offering help to somebody with sure medical situation or is disabled. A Remedy Dog is usually a pet canine belonging to a volunteer who, for instance, visits care houses, hospitals, colleges or group hubs to present consolation, deliver smiles, interactions and happiness.
Karen Charity, Little Bramingham Farm’s Exercise Coordinator, stated, “Winnie is highly intelligent and has a wonderful, loving nature and temperament which is great for a Therapy Dog. Our residents all look forward to seeing her, it starts their week on a really positive, fun note. Everyone knows when Winnie has arrived, she certainly makes an entrance, running up to each resident to say hello.”
Winnie has her routine. When she first arrives, it’s straight into the Lounge for video games with the residents similar to ball and fetch, and chewy toy tugs of struggle. After all of the exertion, Winnie strolls round, ensuring she has time for a cuddle with everybody – and, after all, giving her paw when requested to get her good lady treats. Nonetheless, Winnie doesn’t cease there. She’s then off across the care dwelling for her one-to-one visits.
“Some of our residents who are unable to make it to the Lounge for the group ‘Winnie Session’ or prefer to have one-to-one time with her, all get their special weekly Winnie visit. Nobody misses out. One of our residents, Jean Houghton, especially loves spending time with Winnie as it reminds her of when she had her own dogs.”
Jean stated, “I love my weekly visit. Winnie is so good, clever and cute, she completely lights up my room every visit. I mean, she’s such a pretty girl and if you were feeling a bit down, she could brighten anyone’s day.”
Karen added, “On World Heart Day in October, Jean made Martin a special keepsake heart for Winnie, saying how much she loved her; Jean was extremely proud of how well it turned out.”
Martin continued, “Winnie enjoys seeing all the residents. They give her their undivided devotion and she loves being the centre of attention. She’s a real character full of enthusiasm, in fact she’s a little joker at times. Winnie and I thoroughly enjoy coming along to see the residents each week and it’s wonderful to hear all their stories of the animals they had as children, growing up or as family pets. Winnie is such a people-pleasing dog with lots of love affection and she happily gives this to everyone she meets.”
Little Bramingham Farm’s Registered Supervisor, Emma Lawrance concluded, “It’s wonderful to see our residents’ faces light up when they see Winnie, her tail doesn’t stop wagging from the minute she arrives until the minute she goes home. A dog is said to be man’s best friend and seeing Winnie each week makes our residents so happy, she greets them all like long lost friends.”
This can be a visitor publish by Little Bramingham Farm. Wish to write for us? Go to www.dogstodaymagazine.co.uk/essay-submission or e-mail editorial@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk.
