The Old Vicarage in Leigh, Sherborne has been named Pet Friendly Care Home of the Year by The Cinnamon Trust.
The Cinnamon Trust is a national charity for elderly and terminally ill people and their pets, who strive to keep owners and their pets together by providing help with anything from dog walking and transport to vets, to fostering while owners are in hospital.
Several residents at The Old Vicarage, which is owned by Healthcare Homes Ltd, have pets living with them, and the manager, Louise Turner, has been praised by the trust for going above and beyond to ensure that residents do not have to be separated from their furry and feathered friends.
Donna Tucker, senior administrator at The Cinnamon Trust, says: "It makes such a difference to both owner and pet to stay together.
"Every year thousands of animals and elderly people find themselves saying a heart-breaking farewell, with the animals often headed to rescue centres to await re-homing — or sadly, in many cases, euthanasia — causing misery and suffering to both.
"Research has shown that elderly people who have given up their pets to move into a care home find it more difficult to adjust to life there, and often suffer a long period of depression whilst they grieve for their pet.
"This is why it is so important that pet-friendly homes like The Old Vicarage exist."
Mrs Averil Jarvis MBE , The Cinnamon Trust's founder and chief executive, adds: "I am sure that everyone at The Old Vicarage is as proud of this award as Annie Sinnott MBE (founder of The Old Vicarage) would have been."
“The Old Vicarage sets the standard when it comes to pet friendly care homes – long may it continue, and my sincere congratulations to all concerned”.
Home manager Louise Turner says, “We’re absolutely thrilled to have won this very special award.
“Animals have such an important place in our home. We really see the difference their companionship makes to our residents every day. They’re like family members and bring so much love and joy to their owners and their friends.
“To us, the Old Vicarage is our residents’ home, not ours, and we want their move here to be smooth and enjoyable. For some who have lived years of their lives with their pets, it’s absolutely right that they join them, we wouldn’t have it any other way.”
The Cinnamon Trust hosted a celebratory tea party for the staff, residents and pets to say thank you for all they do to keep elderly owners and their pets together.
The tea party was held at The Old Vicarage on Thursday 11 October where Dr Mark Newton-Clark of Newton Clarke Vets presented a framed certificate to the home. The residents and staff then enjoyed afternoon tea served by local caterer Dorset Delights, and entertainment from popular magician, Alex Robertson from Arc Magic, and the resident pets each received a goody bag of treats and toys courtesy of online pet supplier, VioVet.
If you work in a care home that allows residents to bring their pets to live with them and would like to add it to the trust’s register of pet friendly care Homes or if you would like to register as a volunteer and help an elderly person to keep their pet, please call The Cinnamon Trust on 01736 757900 or visit www.cinnamon.org.uk
