Pet therapy/dementia - ideas wanted?

Pet therapy/dementia - ideas wanted?

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Gretchen

Original Poster:

19,181 posts

222 months

Thursday 20th February 2020
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As animal lovers we all know how much joy, company and love our own pets bring us. Pets and pet therapy has such a positive effect on so many. Including the elderly and those with dementia. I work in a care home and often take my cats, dogs and even (my neighbour) Pygmy Hedgehogs in for the residents to spend time with. As well as booking visits from Zoo Lab and Wild Science. I love that these days bring so many smiles and joy.

During advent I arranged one resident to be ‘dog owner for the day’ and took my parents’ Chow in to be walked, fed treats and generally spread good cheer. I also bought this resident a small cuddly toy dog which has been worn tucked in to their shirt every day since.

For National Pet Month I’m going to organise events throughout April to raise money for four dementia friendly robotic therapy pets (two cats and two dogs) - one for each suite at work.

I’m going to make and raffle two bouquets, one cat, one dog, of treats, running a ‘guess the treats in the jar’ (I’ve filled two large plastic sweet jars each with dog / cat treats and toys) as well as have a mini pop up cat cafe, invite pets in to meet the residents, and maybe a best in show type event. CPL have also offered donations and to come along with a table to offer their neutering vouchers.

I’ve started making this, still need to add some Dreamies and other toys/treats.



Does anyone have any other suggestions / ideas of things I could do?



garythesign

2,234 posts

94 months

Thursday 20th February 2020
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No suggestions i am afraid, but I am full of admiration for what you are doing.

I have had two therapy dogs and it was so fulfilling to take them to ‘work’.

You have just brightened up my day

moorx

3,768 posts

120 months

Friday 21st February 2020
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Just a couple of thoughts:

Guess the weight of the pet

Pet picture competition (either best photo or best painting/drawing, etc - could have different age categories and/or pet categories). Maybe judged by some of the care home residents or staff?


moorx

3,768 posts

120 months

Friday 21st February 2020
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If you could get some suitable photos, you could do 'spot the ball' style competitions (maybe with a dog jumping for/chasing a ball, or a 'spot the bird'?

moorx

3,768 posts

120 months

Friday 21st February 2020
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Name the bear/soft toy.

Gretchen

Original Poster:

19,181 posts

222 months

Saturday 22nd February 2020
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Love those ideas moorx. Thank you! Name the Bear and guess the pet weight are definitely on the list.

I’ve had a couple of days annual leave and spent them looking/buying bits for the bouquets I’m making. Want to get some cat/dog fun bits too. At Christmas there were loads of Mugs and gifts. Struggled to find much at all to be honest.