Pets in Aged Care Grant Recipients 2014
These pet-friendly facilities support live-in pets in retirement and aged care settings.
1. FEROS CARE – Wommin Bay, Bryon Bay, Bangalow NSW
AWLA Grant to assist funding the installation of pet doors and composting systems.
Feros Care has embarked on installing pet doors through three of their villages. The provision of pet doors at various locations in the village and at residents’ bedroom doors will greatly assist the resident to independently care for their pet, support live-in arrangements and assist in allowing the pet to roam more freely.
Environmentally friendly composting systems for pet faeces are also planned for each village and will greatly assist staff, other residents and visitors in continuing to support pets as a part of the village atmosphere.
Feros Care Villages have a culture of welcoming and embracing pets. Village dogs, cats, birds, chickens, fish and residents’ dogs, cats and birds already call Feros Villages home. Village pets have care plans with staff allocated responsibilities to assist residents in providing care to the animals.
2. SOUTHERN CROSS CARE – Springvale Residential Home, VIC
AWLA Grant to assist the setting up of a dog run and provide on-going care for Bibi, a resident’s live-in dog.
Bibi provides her owner with many benefits including improved communication and social interaction and reduced anxiety. Her owner’s physical function and mobility are also improved through dog walking activity 2 to 3 times each week. Care plans have been developed for Bibi along with feeding and walking rosters. Springvale Residential Home has a strong focus on pet friendliness, having implemented a chicken hatching program and caring for a pet rabbit, a cat, another resident’s dogs and aviary birds.
3. ZION LUTHERAN HOME - Nundah QLD
AWLA Grant to assist the installation of 2 cat doors into specialised glass, to assist live-in arrangements for Olly the cat and his owner John.
Olly is a large much loved cat, who spends much of his day on a lounge by the front entrance where can be admired! Olly is also clever enough to get himself down in the lift to access an outside garden. Olly’s owner John lives on the second floor and becomes anxious if his cat is out of sight for too long. Being wheelchair bound, checking up on Olly is challenging for John. The installation of cat doors on the upper floors will assist Olly’s movement and ease John’s anxiety. Zion is a pet friendly facility with turtles, budgies, a facility cat and two small dogs who come in with staff daily.
4. SOUTHERN CROSS CARE – Springvale Residential Home VIC
AWLA Grant to assist the installation of infrastructure and provide for the on-going care of Letitia, a live-in dog belonging to a resident.
Letitia provides her owner Beryl with many benefits including a smoother transition into aged care. Letitia reduces anxiety for Beryl by providing support and reassurance. Letitia sleeps in her owner’s room during the night which allows Beryl to trust her environment. Care plans have been developed for Letitia along with a 12 month contract to meet Letitia’s washing and grooming needs.
5. BLUE CARE EASTSIDE COMMUNITY CARE – Wynnum West QLD
AWLA Grant to assist the building of a chicken coop to house Chinese silky bantams for dementia patient Lucy.
Lucy has an incredibly strong love of animals and carries photos of her past pets to show staff and other residents. Interaction with animals Lucy brings great joy and happiness and improves her mood and behaviour. Lucy has been a pilot, a black-belt in karate and a nurse – all taken away from her with advancing dementia. Lucy is soon to move into secure accommodation, a difficult transition which can be made easier with animals. As the carer for silky bantams, Lucy will have a role within her new community which will give her a sense of purpose, achievement and enable her to form new relationships more easily. Lucy (72) will be able to hold and groom her pets and will sleep adjacent to the bantams at night. Lucy has a deep need to care for animals, a need that can be difficult to meet in institutionalised care. This grant will make a real difference to Lucy’s life.
6. LOVELL HOUSE – Caulfield North, VIC
AWLA Grant to assist with the on-going care of Dani, a cat belonging to one resident but enjoyed by many.
Dani is an important part of the Lovell House environment, providing comfort and company for her owner and residents. Dani’s owner is proud that her pet provides enjoyment and solace for all residents. This grant will provide a scratching post for the common area to allow Dani to scratch in view of those resting in the lounge area. It will also provide for food, toys, grooming, vet checks and vaccinations, kitty litter, collar and council registration.
7. AVOCA HEALTH SERVICE – Avoca, VIC
AWLA Grant to assist Bill and his collie dog Butch and a live-in cat.
Bill and Butch have been together for ten years. Bill would not have entered residential care without Butch, they depend on each other. Butch requires medication, vet care and grooming, all services which incur travel costs because Avoca is a small rural town. A mobile dog washer travels 50kms to Butch every 6 weeks and the vet when required. The grant will also benefit the Hostel’s cat in the form of a cat door, scratching post, carrier and bed.
8. WALLGROVE RESIDENTIAL AGED CARE FACILITY - Lakemba NSW
AWLA Grant to assist the purchase of a cat run and scratching post for Bliss, a live-in cat belonging to a new resident. The Grant will also assist the upgrade of an existing aviary which is enjoyed by all residents.
9. MERCY HEALTH – Shepparton, VIC
AWLA grant to assist with the on-going care of Buddy, a dog owned by a resident.
Buddy is thirteen years old and has been with his owner since puppyhood. After a difficult period without Buddy when his owner first moved into care, it was decided that Buddy should move in too. Now Buddy is bringing pleasure to many residents and a walking group has been formed to take Buddy out during the day. A feeding regime is in place with staff, residents and carers all chipping in to meet Buddy’s needs. The grant will assist to provide food, vet care, grooming and toys.
10. WARANGA NURSING HOME – Rushworth VIC
AWLA grant is to assist fund the continuing care of Pink.
Pink the Greyhound shares a special bond with an individual resident at Waranga Nursing Home as well as spreading her affection with other residents. Pink is a live-in dog and she moves around the home visiting residents one at a time. Staff and volunteers from the community walk Pink, including local school children who often take her for a walk in the morning before school.