When a gentleman moved into Allan Court Care Home, part of the Bond Care Group, there was one thing he was clear about: he did not want to leave his dog behind.
His dog was his companion and part of his family. The team understood that moving without him would mean losing an important relationship at an already difficult time.
NAPA spoke with Marie Clifford, Regional Director, and Zoe Bell, Home Manager at Allan Court, to learn how they made the arrangement work.
Looking at what was possible
There were several issues to consider. The team needed to think about the safety of residents, staff and visitors, as well as who would care for the dog and how his needs would be met.
Rather than dismissing the idea, they looked carefully at each concern.
As Marie said:
“Don’t just dismiss it. Explore the possibilities.”
The dog had the appropriate veterinary checks and assessments before moving into the home. The team considered the environment, agreed responsibilities and put practical arrangements in place.
Planning for the dog’s care
The dog was given his own care plan, covering food, water, exercise, sleeping arrangements and general wellbeing. Staff knew what support was needed, and the arrangements were reviewed regularly.
Colleagues helped to walk and care for him. Staff choice was also respected. One team member was not comfortable around dogs, so other colleagues took on those duties.
This careful planning helped the team manage the risks while supporting the gentleman to continue living with his companion.
The dog soon became part of daily life at Allan Court. Other residents enjoyed spending time with him, and staff helped to maintain the bond between the gentleman and his pet.
More than an activity
Meaningful engagement is not always something organised on an activity programme. It can be part of ordinary daily life: walking a dog, filling a water bowl or simply having a familiar companion nearby.
Caring for his dog also allowed the gentleman to retain a role and responsibility that mattered to him.
Marie described the dog as more than a pet. He was family.
This is important when someone moves into residential care. A move should not automatically mean giving up the relationships and responsibilities that give a person comfort, purpose and a sense of identity.
Managing risk well
There were understandable concerns when the idea was first discussed. Senior colleagues needed reassurance that the arrangement would be safe for everyone.
The team responded by gathering information and planning properly. Checks were completed, risks were assessed and responsibilities were agreed. This allowed the decision to be based on the individual circumstances rather than a general assumption that pets could not be accommodated.
Positive risk-taking does not mean ignoring risk. It means considering what matters to the person and looking for a safe and reasonable way to support it.
The difference it made
The arrangement worked well. Marie said the gentleman began to thrive after moving into Allan Court with his dog. His companion became a familiar presence around the home, and their relationship was able to continue.
The process took time, but Marie believes it was worthwhile:
“It takes time because you’ve got to get it right. But it was worth it.”
What other services can learn
Not every animal will be able to move into every care setting, and each request will need to be considered individually.
However, this example shows the value of exploring an idea before deciding it cannot be done. Services can speak with the person and those who know them well, assess the animal and the environment, consider the needs of others and decide whether the risks can be managed.
It is also important to consider the effect of saying no. In this case, keeping the gentleman and his dog together helped him settle into his new home and maintain an important part of his life.
Person-centred care means looking beyond established routines and understanding what matters to each person. For this gentleman, that meant being able to move into care without leaving a member of his family behind.
NAPA thanks Marie Clifford, Zoe Bell and the team at Allan Court Care Home for sharing this example of good practice.