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Care homes celebrate therapeutic value of dogs
The care home says Geraldine always brings a smile to residents' faces.
HC-One Care Homes marked International Dog Day.

A group of care homes has marked International Dog Day (Monday, 26 August) by sharing how dogs have helped its residents and staff.

HC-One Care Homes, which manages care homes across the UK, invites certain dogs for visits into its care homes and has seen the therapeutic effect it has had on residents and staff.

The group’s Coventry-based care home, Victoria Mews, is frequently visited by one-year-old Shorkie (Shih Tzu and Yorkshire terrier) Geraldine. Geraldine attends the care home with her owner, Victoria Mews home manager Michael David.

Geraldine has been visiting the care home since she was 10 weeks old and has quickly become relaxed in her role.

The care home says that Geraldine enjoys interacting with the residents that give her attention. It says that she appears to know when people are upset and is soon able to bring a smile to their faces.

Many of Victoria Mews’ residents had previously owned dogs, so spending time with Geraldine also brings back memories of their past experiences. She even has a fan club among the residents’ relatives, who knit her bows and little hats.

Janis Baylis, a resident at the care home, said: “I miss my dog and when I moved into a care home before here, I had to rehome my dog. Seeing Geraldine makes me think of my dog and brings back happy memories.”

HC-One Care Homes states that it believes dogs in care homes can offer many benefits to elderly residents. It suggests that the presence of dogs improves wellbeing, provides companionship and facilitates social interactions. It has also made an impact on the wellbeing of its staff.

The group has similar initiatives in its care homes in Birmingham, Pontefract and Blacon.

Mr David said: “My Geraldine attends the home regularly. Geraldine has impacted so much on residents’ wellbeing, This could just be dog therapy or just playing with a ball in the lounge.

“Geraldine has also impacted our colleague wellbeing. When staff are feeling stressed or low, they will often take five minutes out with the dog, and this picks them back up.”

Images © HC-One Care Homes

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."