South Holland animals are helping individuals living with dementia

Therapy animals are now being used to bring ‘comfort and normality’ to people living with dementia in South Holland.

In the UK there are an estimated 900,000 people with the disease. This figure is due to increase by over 1 million people by 2025.

Care homes in the district have started incorporating animals in their care after recognising the positive impact they have for the residents.

The Alzheimer’s Society states on it’s website that animal assisted interventions can improve the self esteem, confidence and quality of life for people with dementia.

Following a decline in her health, Michelle Daughtrey, of Spalding, decided she wanted to help those who also suffer from pain or illness. This encouraged her to set up Michelle’s Animal Therapy and Petting Party.

Michelle mainly visits care homes but has also been to visit adults with learning disabilities.

She said: “Going into care homes is good for people with dementia – it gets them remembering back to when they had animals themselves.

“It is worthwhile being able to bring happiness to them all. When I have the animals myself it brings me happiness everyday, but then when it’s people who don’t have animals as a regular thing it is a massive thing for them.”

Some of the animals Michelle takes into care homes include her Chihuahua, Shih tzu, Guinea pigs, longhaired rabbits, a Syrian hamster, cat and Pearl the rescue hen.

She said: “ I can’t give it up – its so rewarding!”

Michelle is always looking for creative ways to make it more fun for the people she visits such as dressing the dogs up in different outfits or hen racing, which Michelle is currently planning for the future.

It entails putting up enclosures for the hens that act as lanes. The hens are lured in with some cat food, which they love. The cat food is placed on the back of a remote control car and then the race begins.

Bran the therapy dog takes a less action packed approach to his work despite being named after Bran Stark from Game of Thrones.

Described as being a lovable giant, Bran is celebrating two years of working for Therapy Dog Nationwide with his owner, Debbie Buck.

The duo are often going in to meet residents at hospices, care homes and prisons to help people feel better and share the joy of an animal.

Debbie said: “Therapy is about helping people feel better – he brings a beautiful calmness about him.

“Going into care homes where there’s people with dementia can sometimes help recover bits of their memory, very often the sight of a dog can trigger something for them.”

“Often people with dementia are a little bit removed or a little out of touch, they find it hard to communicate or have people communicate with them. A communication with an animal is simple and its true, you don’t need words – there’s no need.”

Bran started working for Therapy Dogs Nationwide at the age of 16 months and has made an immense impact to the wellbeing of everyone he visits.

“Their reaction when we visit is full of joy and delight, their faces just light up!”

Debbie explained the residents in the hospices and care homes always look forward to when Bran comes to visit them all: “Knowing that you are making a difference to people’s lives is what I enjoy most.”

Tonic Health is a health and wellbeing charity offering a full range of services in Spalding, Holbeach and Surfleet.

This includes a dementia cafe offering support for carers and family members whilst giving them the time to socialise between 1.30pm and 3.30pm. The dementia day group is catered for people with early stages of dementia to socialise and enjoy a range of activities and entertainment.

Michelle Daughtrey visited Tonic Health’s dementia group with her animals and will be due back later this month.

Dementia Coordinator at Tonic Health, Jean Gifford said: “Sadly dementia is on the rise. The interaction from Michelle coming to our dementia group was terrific, it stirs up emotion with people with dementia, they absolutely enjoyed it.”

For more information on all of the services Tonic Health offer contact Jean Gifford on 07878 273099 or email dementiasupport@tonic-health.co.uk.

If you are interested in volunteering for Tonic health contact Katie Munton on 07470 497052 or email volunteer@tonic-health.co.uk.