A FORMER guide dog treated residents to an afternoon of cuddles, rekindling happy childhood memories.
Usher, a six-year-old golden retriever, visited a care home in Mobberley to celebrate international dog day.
Residents at Cranford Grange enjoyed playing games with the gentle, loving dog and were fascinated to hear about his background.
READ > 'King Canute's Great Sink Hole' - Knutsford's new tourist attraction
Usher was trained to work with blind people until he was adopted by his owner Jo McGregor and became a therapy dog.
His surprise visit forms part of the home’s pet therapy programme.
Animals can have a positive impact on residents, helping their mental health and wellbeing, and increasing social interaction and physical activity.
Resident Marianne Everest said: “Usher is a beautiful dog.
“Spending time with him brings back lots of happy memories spent with our old golden retriever and our children.
“We always have a spare biscuit for Usher and the time spent with him is magical.”
Lisa Burrows, general manager at Cranford Grange, said: “Usher’s visit was a fantastic experience for everyone, team members and residents alike.
“It was wonderful to see the smiles on the resident’s faces as Usher made himself at home.
“Being in the company of animals has proven therapeutic benefits for older people, particularly those with dementia, as it can help to reduce feelings of anxiety, and decrease the feelings of loneliness. “We look forward to welcoming more furry friends in the future as they certainly bring a lot of joy and comfort to everyone at Cranford Grange.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here