Merry Christmas from Man’s Best Friend

Pet therapy as a home care service

It is almost the end of 2019 and during this time of year, we reflect on all the things we have done the past year, the good and bad, how we have touched and been touched by others.  It is a time for giving and receiving, a time to remember others less fortunate than ourselves, peace in the world, a time for families to end their quarrels and come together, in the true spirit of Christmas.  AevaCare wishes you a wonderful time in the holiday season and may 2020 bring happiness to all.

Below are musings from Katherine who has been involved with dogs for most of her life.  She also shares an email sent to her recently which highlights how dogs can comfort us.  Above is a photo of Daisy, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel bred by Katherine, referenced in the email.


According to Wikipedia, ‘Man's Best Friend’ is a common phrase about domestic dogs, stretching to a millennia-long history of close relations, loyalty, and companionship with humans. Not only do most of us enjoy our canine friends as pets, dogs also have a working role in society, amongst others, where they are trained to be police dogs, guide dogs for the blind and those that serve in the war.

Only recently there was the controversial heart wrenching story about the two Belgian Shepherds, Kevin and Dazz retired after dozens of life-saving missions as specially-trained search dogs in Afghanistan, were due to be put down after chiefs ruled they can’t be re-homed. How this can happen in this day and age is beyond me. Thankfully they had a good outcome in time for Christmas. Here is the story from the Telegraph Newspaper.

There are also many organizations (including us at AevaCare) who promote the therapeutic qualities that our canine friends can bring to enhance wellbeing. Organisations who do sterling work in this area include Pets at Therapy and Nurture Dogs.

Pets at Therapy is a national charity founded in 1983. Volunteers and their dogs go through a programme of assessment and then provide a visiting service in hospitals, hospices, nursing and care homes, special needs schools and a variety of other venues all across the UK.

Similarly, Nuture Dogs is a private organisation run by Occupational Therapists and volunteers, aiming to do the same and is based in Colchester, Essex. More information on our services can be found on our Animal Therapy page.

During this time of festivities, it is particularly heart warming to know one of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel that I bred has given joy to others. I received this email about what Daisy has been up to recently. . .

Dear Katherine

Just to wish you a very Happy Christmas and New Year. Daisy is doing really well. She's been out delivering Christmas cards with me today in her Santa dress and brightened a number of elderly people's day. We went in for a chat with a neighbour who is elderly and unwell and he loved seeing her. A little girl in our road with cerebral palsy had her on her lap and Daisy was trying to give her kisses. Her little tail didn't stop wagging and the little girl Emily, although sadly she can't talk or walk, had the biggest smile on her face. Daisy is a little angel.

Thought you'd like to see a few of pictures of her. She is very pretty just like her mum, her coat is beautiful and silky, her ears are growing beautifully and she is so tiny and dainty still.

With very best wishes to you and your family and, of course, Daisy's beautiful Cavvie family.

Marie x

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