They may already have a coop full of chickens in the garden but residents of Barnes Lodge Residential Care Home recently welcomed a new pet to their family.
Barney, named after the Tudeley Lane care home, joined the family a couple of weeks ago, after a staff member’s cat had kittens and the residents expressed an interest at having a cat to call their own at the newly opened care home.
Barney is settling in to his new home very well and the residents are loving spending time playing with him and assist staff in looking after him with his daily routine.
Sara Grist, home manager of Barnes Lodge commented: “Here at Barnes Lodge, we believe pets provide wonderful companions for our residents and generally improve wellbeing and promote a tranquil atmosphere. As well as our new kitten, Barney, we also recently welcomed some lovely chickens!
“Many of our residents used to have pets of their own, one even used to keep chickens, so it is excellent for those who want to, to be able to get involved with looking after the pets and their day to day routine.”
The Abbeyfield Kent Society is fully supportive of embracing pets within their care homes, as well as the obvious benefit of providing companionship, contact with pets can also lower blood pressure and heart rate, improving calmness and wellbeing.