Country Pets Make a Difference

DOGS are regularly used as pets as therapy, but in the country many people grew up with much larger animals as pets and appreciate being able to interact with them again.

Jack Flaherty gets a visit from the NSW mounted police during Horse Week in Scone.

On Saturday, the New South Wales Mounted Police visited the residents of Strathearn and even in his 90’s after a lifetime of riding horses, Jack Flaherty appreciated spending some time with a horse.

Barry Costello, head of volunteer services for HammondCare said interacting with animals and pets was an important part of keeping residents engaged and connected to the community.

“Visits by the Mounted Police to places like Strathearn, where the majority of residents have a strong relationship with horses, bring much joy and pleasure to the people in our care,” said Mr Costello.

“Activities like this create discussion, reminiscences and recollections,” he said

“Domesticated and farm animals have always been a feature of HammondCare’s volunteering program with more than 35 animals visiting our facilities across NSW and Victoria, providing up to 70 hours of animal companionship each week,” said Barry Costello.

A miniature pony, Stormy, is an occasional visitor to HammondCare’s Greenwich Hospital and is a highlight of their Melbourne Cup and Christmas celebrations.

Mr Costello said plans were underway to further develop the volunteering program at Strathearn and Scone.

“We will be recruiting a volunteer leader in the new financial year and hope that as part of the program we will be able to have more visits involving animals to Strathearn,” Mr Costello said.