‘Round of a-paws’ as local care home hires canine relations manager

Home news

Jun 15, 2021

A Hailsham care home has officially welcomed a new team member – and he’s set to be a paw-some hit with residents and colleagues alike. 

The handsome Benji has joined the team at Care UK’s Bowes House, on Battle Road. He will oversee ‘canine relations’ at the home and be on hand for residents to fuss, walk, or simply spend time with.

The home created the full-time role after being inspired by the positive impact animal visits have had on care home residents’ wellbeing and on hearing how much residents missed these due to restrictions caused by the pandemic.

Having a dog to take care of in the home not only encourages residents to spend time outdoors walking their canine companion, leading to physical benefits, but it also helps them find a sense of purpose later in life.

Benji is an experienced ‘Canine Relations Manager’ and brings with him over a decade of experience working alongside Martin Palfreyman, the team’s Lifestyle Lead. Benji will be 14 years old in November and has even developed his own management style, taking walkabout tours of the home, checking in on residents and team members alike.

Benji began his career when he was rescued at eight months old and has been tremendously successful since, sitting on laps, going for walks, hoovering up crumbs and befriending many residents.  

Ryan Harris, Home Manager at Bowes House, said: “We have seen other Care UK homes appoint their own canine relations managers and we knew that we had found the paw-fect dog to take up the role at Bowes House. He can often be found cuddled up on a sofa having his tummy tickled – the home wouldn’t be the same without him.

“Studies have shown that introducing dogs into care homes can help lift people’s mood and increase social interaction. The human-animal bond is powerful in promoting self-esteem and wellbeing, and canine relations managers like Benji, are brilliant at doing this.”

Bowes House is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the care home has it very own café, cinema and hair salon, and there is plenty of space, both indoors and out, for relaxation and recreation. The home has a comprehensive activity programme, offering a mix of themed events and group activities.

For further information on Bowes House, please call Customer Relations Manager, Karen Milligan, on 01323 888 611 or email karen.milligan@careuk.com

For more general information, please visit careuk.com/bowes-house