Linden House resident Joan enjoying spending time with one of the Epsom care home's pet guinea pigs.

Epsom Care Home’s Pets Conjure Wonderful Memories for Residents

Epsom care home Linden House prides itself on being a pet-friendly home. More so, the team at the home have found that interactions with animals have a positive effect on their residents.

Before the coronavirus pandemic, pet therapy played an import part in Linden House’s activities programme. Local organisations with specially trained animals would regularly visit the home so residents could spend time with creatures great and small.

In recent years, pet therapy sessions have included visits from dogs, small farm animals, reptiles and even a pony!

Paula Windmill, home manager of Linden House, said: “We’ve found pet therapy incredibly meaningful for our residents, particularly those with a past related to animals. Spending time with a particular pet can be powerful in conjuring happy childhood memories, or of memories made with their own children.”

“I will always remember the visit from the pony a couple of years ago. After just a few minutes, one of our ladies lit up with memories of her own pony. She was able to tell us all about it with wonderful detail, unearthing stories we hadn’t heard before. After that, I have always tried to book visits from pets that particular residents have a historic connection with. It’s another great way that we can offer the person-centred care for which we are known.”

Continuing Pet Therapy During Restrictions

Unfortunately, due to visiting restrictions during the pandemic, the home has been unable to hold the much-loved pet therapy visits. However, as a pet-friendly care home, residents can spend time with their two live-in guinea pigs and two budgies whenever they wish. With their gentle and cuddly nature, the guinea pigs, affectionately called Lettuce and Treacle have a wonderfully calming effect on all who spend time with them.

During the pandemic, the entire Linden House family have found great joy from another friendly four-legged visitor. One of the team has been bringing their dog in to spend time with the residents. In this time, some lovely bonds have been made and the visits have become a weekly highlight of life at Linden House.

The Epsom-based care home is always ready to welcome residents with small, well-behaved pets. For more information or to discuss your search for care simply click here.

To learn about our other care homes in England please click here.