The residents and care team at New Copford Place, the Colchester-based residential care home run by charity, Friends of the Elderly, are marking this year’s National Pet Month, talking about their regular visits from three ‘fur-bulous’ Essex Therapy Dogs – Honey, Ruby and Hector.
Honey, Ruby and Hector – two Poodles and a Cockapoo – have been visiting the residents at the care home since June 2024 and are now firm favourites and members of the New Copford Place family. Chelsey Leather, Activities Coordinator at the care home, said: “The residents adore animals, especially dogs, so to have the regular visits from the three Essex Therapy Dogs as a firm fixture on our varied activities calendar is ‘paw-fect’.
“The award-winning Essex Therapy Dogs is a volunteer organisation, and all the dogs have been carefully assessed as therapy dogs and it’s great to see how they interact with the residents; they really do create magical moments during each visit.”
Daniel Sabau, the Registered Manager at New Copford Place, said: “Honey, Ruby and Hector make sure they spend time with all the residents and give them lots of canine attention. It’s really rewarding to chat to the residents as they talk about the dogs they have owned over the years, funny stories about chasing cats, digging for bones and barking at Postmen, there are new ‘tails’ each month.”
Resident Sylvia Edwards added: “I look forward to seeing the Essex Therapy Dogs every month. They always seem so happy to see us, and we are happy to see them. Truth be told, I could cuddle them all day and after they leave, I have a smile on my face for the rest of the day.”
