A fur-miliar friend - Local care home hires new ‘Director of Canine Relations’

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

The adorable Loki, an English Cocker Spaniel, has joined the team at Care UK’s Cranford Grange, on Hall Lane, as ‘Director of Canine Relations’ – his duties include being on hand for residents to fuss, walk, or simply spend time with.

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

Despite being new to the role, Loki has impressed everyone with his ability to work alongside his owner, Senior Care Assistant, Charley Ashton, and instantly brightens the room whenever he walks in.

Loki has even developed his own management style, taking tours of the home and checking in on everyone – as well as helping to bring back happy memories of pets in younger years for many residents.

Mo, a resident at Cranford Grange said: “I have always been a cat lover and had many cats over the years as pets, however after meeting Loki and watching him grow from a puppy, I now love dogs! Loki makes me smile every time to see him, and he is more than welcome to come and live with me in my suite at any time".

Lisa Burrows, Home Manager at Cranford Grange, added: “We have seen other Care UK homes appoint their own canine colleagues and we knew that we had found the perfect one to take up the role at Cranford Grange. Loki can often be found being fussed over by a resident – the home simply 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 ‘Director of Canine Relation Managers’ like Loki, are brilliant at doing this.

“Welcome to the team, Loki, we already can’t imagine life without you!”

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Cranford Grange, which remains open to potential residents, incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities. The building has been configured into a series of neighbourhoods to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents.

For more information on Cranford Grange, please call Director of Community Relations, Dawn Williams on 01565 881020, or email Dawn.Williams@careuk.com.

For more general information, please go to careuk.com/cranford-grange.