With big floppy ears and an excitable tail wag, Murphy, the Maltese Shih Tzu, takes his job as a therapy dog very seriously.

For two hours once a month, Murphy, accompanied by his owner, Sue, visits AnglicareSA’s Westbourne Park Residential Aged Care home, walking around the units and spending time with residents.

Murphy’s job is simple but powerful. With a soft nuzzle or playful affection, his presence brings comfort and connection in a way words cannot.

Westbourne Park Residential Aged Care Customer Wellness Coordinator Jennifer Pilling said Murphy can be a welcome distraction for some residents.

“There may be some residents who are not having a good day, but we see the change in them as they see Murphy – they smile ear to ear and look forward to patting the dog or giving him a treat,” Jennifer said.

A well-loved addition to the aged care home, Jennifer said the demand for more pet therapy offerings, especially Murphy, has increased. “Residents love Murphy’s visits, and this is reflected in the growth of the pet therapy list to 69 out of 90 residents requesting a visit.”

 

 

Murphy’s owner Sue is happy for him to steal the spotlight–seeing him bring smiles to everyone’s faces is reward enough.

“They get a lot of joy from seeing Murphy,” Sue said.

Sue, who has been visiting the aged care home for more than a year, said she gets just as many benefits from her monthly visits as the residents.

“It’s nice for the residents to have someone to chat to,” she said.  

“I get enjoyment from it and seeing how happy it makes the residents.”

The number of animals that visit Westbourne Park Aged Care home could rival that of a zoo – Jennifer said the home was very pet-friendly, and animal connection was always encouraged.

“In addition to Murphy, we have many visiting dogs from residents’ relatives and loved ones,” Jennifer said.

“We have a visiting horse who comes every second month, along with pet farms with chickens, guinea pigs, rabbits, sheep, piglets, and goats that provide a sensory experience for residents who cuddle or pat them in their lap.”

Pet therapy goes beyond cuddling a cute and furry friend – it can also provide a wide variety of therapeutic benefits, including reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, and combating feelings of loneliness. Several other AnglicareSA aged care homes across the state provide similar dog or pet therapy offerings to their residents due to high demand.