Therapy Dog Barlie Brings Comfort and Smiles to Residents at Maycroft Care Home

Residents at Maycroft Care Home were delighted to welcome a very special new visitor this week — Barlie, a gentle therapy dog, who made his first visit alongside his owner James from the charity Pets as Therapy.

Barlie, who already works successfully with children at a local school, visited the home to meet residents and become familiar with the environment as part of what is hoped to be the start of many future visits. From the moment he arrived, residents were excited to meet him, and Barlie was just as eager to explore and make new friends.

Throughout the visit, Barlie spent time sitting with residents, offering plenty of cuddles and affection. His calm and gentle nature quickly won hearts, with some residents even receiving a few sweet kisses. The joy and comfort he brought to the home was clear to see, with smiles lighting up the room as residents enjoyed spending time with their new furry friend.

Residents shared their delight, with comments including:

“Aww, he is beautiful.”

“I want a cuddle.”

“Can he stay with us?”

“He looks so pretty, he must be a girl.”

The visit highlighted the powerful impact animal companionship can have, with even a small cuddle bringing a sense of calm and happiness.

The team at Maycroft are hopeful that Barlie and James will become regular visitors, continuing to bring comfort, connection and plenty of wagging tails to residents in the future.