Loading
Anchor Homes
    • Campaigns and research
      • A Minister for Older People
      • The Grey Pride Manifesto
      • Campaign supporters
      • Grey Matters
      • Grey Matters Guide
      • Why Grey Matters
      • Real life experiences
      • Life Histories
      • Why life histories matters
      • Case studies
      • Standing Up 4 Sitting Down
      • Case studies
      • Get involved
      • Supporting retailers
      • Supporting organisations
    • The Anchor Community Band
      • Tour de Terry
      • Map of Terry’s route
    • Anchor research
  • Press room
  • Anchor and you
    • Call on

      07713 085 004
    • 8am-6pm, Monday - Friday
      8am-4pm, Saturday

  • Individual
  • Careers
  • Professionals
  • Media
Anchor Homes
  • Individual
  • Careers
  • Professionals
  • Media
  • Home
  • Media
  • Pets As Therapy visits The Ridings care home
29 July 2019

Pets As Therapy visits The Ridings care home

Pets of all shapes and sizes, from therapy dogs to small ponies, visit many Anchor Hanover care homes to help improve and enrich the lives of our residents.

Pets As Therapy dogOne care home in particular, The Ridings in Banbury, receives regular visits from Pets As Therapy, a national charity designed to enhance the health and wellbeing of the community through their team of volunteers and trusted animals, and the residents are always delighted to meet the pets. A member of The Ridings team said:

“Every Pets As Therapy visit brings happiness to our residents and we noticed positive effects after each visit. Nick and Ghillie are now part of our life here and we would very much like to keep it this way.”

Nick Belson, Pets As Therapy volunteer, has been visiting The Ridings for the past year with his PAT dog, Gilbert, a 5-year-old Tibetan Terrier also fondly known as ‘Ghillie’. During their visit they talk to residents in the communal lounge giving them a chance to say hello. They also kindly visit other residents in their rooms for more one-on-one sessions.

In their time visiting The Ridings, Nick and Ghillie have gone above and beyond, recently joining the team on a 10k walk in Banbury to help fundraise for the residents.

Madie Smith, Career at The Ridings, was asked how having Pets As Therapy has supported their residents:

“Our residents always enjoy visits from Pets As Therapy and most of them find it easy to connect with them. Most of our residents have had their own dogs or pets in the past and they always enjoy talking about it.

Pets As Therapy at The Ridings care homeEvery Thursday morning our residents are waiting for Nick and Ghillie to arrive. It is now part of our resident’s routine and they like it very much. Ghillie brings comfort and helps our residents relax.”

“I once showed one of our residents who is living with dementia a scrapbook we’ve put together with all the activities we are doing. The only photo the resident recognised was one of Nick and Ghillie – it didn’t only look familiar to them, but they could actually remember Ghillie’s name, which I thought was fantastic.”

One resident shared how much he enjoys each visit and looks forward to the next:

“On Thursday I always look forward to two of my favourite visitors: Nick and Gilbert his pet dog. They always greet me, and I know there will be smiles. Nick always carries some doggy treats and he gives me a few, Gilbert then comes and puts his chin on my knee and I say to him ‘say please', I give him some, and as often as I say Gilbert ‘please’ he repeats the little practice of lifting his paw. You can understand now why there is always smiles when Gilbert visits.”

To read the full article, including why Nick decided to volunteer for Pets As Therapy, visit their website here.

This website uses cookies which track activity so that you get the best possible experience. By continuing to use this website we will assume you are happy and cookies will be set. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Useful links

  • Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement
  • Anchor Hanover website

Contacts

  • 07713 085 004

Newsletter

Sign up for our free monthly email newsletter

Happy living for the years ahead

Top 20 Group Award 2019 LaingBuisson Care Winner 2019

© 2019 Anchor Hanover Group

  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
Follow us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
Email Back to top

Login to Anchor

  • Favourites
  • Apply
  • Existing customers

Create a website account to save a list of your favourite Anchor properties.

Enter your e-mail address or username.
Enter the password that accompanies your e-mail.
Register now
Forgotten your password? Click here to reset

If you are over the age of 55 and wish to apply for rental housing with Anchor you can apply online.

Complete a Housing Application Form

If you already live in an Anchor leasehold or rental property, use MyAccount to securely access and manage your personal information online.

Access MyAccount

Property Finder


View properties by county

Share this page...

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • GooglePlus
  • Whats App
  • Facebook messenger
  • Email

Search Anchor

Looking for property contact details?