Seniors given robot dogs and cats to help with loneliness

By Imogen Howse

A care home has introduced robotic dogs and cats to tackle loneliness among its residents.

Stoneham Grove Care Home in Reading, Berks., says its 'robo-dog' and 'robo-cat' reduce stress and provide companionship.

The 'pets' have realistic fur and sensors which enable them to respond to motion and touch and interact with people much like a real animal.

They are also able to bark, purr, and sit - and can even roll over for scratches.

Stoneham Grove says the pets have been particularly popular among their residents with dementia, with one woman's family even buying her a personal 'robo-cat' for Christmas.

Resident Barbara Hansen, 96, said: “I love the therapy pets, especially the cat.

"I understand they are not real, but I really enjoy the way they act like real pets. The cat purrs when I brush its fur.

"It helps reduce my anxiety and makes me feel calm."

Pamela James, 90, added: “I think they’re lovely. I can see how it helps residents living with dementia.

"I often see one resident walking with the therapy pets and talking to them like they’re real pets.

“I’ve seen how this individual has gone from being upset and worried to happy and laughing – just by having the cat or dog put in her lap."

And Patricia McCarron, 96, said: "They’re brilliant. A family member bought one after visiting me, and they’ve given it to a loved one who is living with Alzheimer’s disease.

"She loves it. When she comes in she goes straight upstairs looking for it. It gives her a lot of comfort and makes her feel safe."

Nicola Woods, deputy manager at Stoneham Grove, says robotic pets allow care homes to reap the benefits that animals bring - without needing the resources that come with looking after live dogs and cats.

She said, "We also have real-life animals that come into our homes, but sadly, we aren't able to take care of them full-time.

"We don't have the resources to feed them, clean up after them, or take them on regular walks.

"So this allows us to have pets onsite at all times - and prevents the sadness residents often feel when the real-life ones leave.

"They're also, of course, good for residents with allergies

"It's so beautiful what animals do for us. It really makes a difference to someone who is feeling a bit isolated to have a dog beside them, or for someone feeling stressed to have a cat sitting on their lap purring.

"The residents living with dementia have really taken to it. I know that one woman's family bought her her own personal robo-cat because of how much she loves it.

"And another individual loves the dog. It will bark at her and lift its paw up and she will then go over and stroke it.

"It's fully interactive."

Woods said the difference the pets have made is "hard to put into words".

She said, "Seeing the difference these pets have made is absolutely amazing. It's hard to put into words.

"Pets are often a large part of people’s everyday lives, and they are clinically proven to promote a sense of wellbeing - mentally and physically.

"So for us to be able to continue that within a care setting is very special."

Woods says the technology is improving every day - making the animals more and more realistic.

"Even from when we first got them, they are more advanced now," she said. "The fur feels more natural - and the sounds are more realistic."

At the moment, Stoneham Grove only has a dog and a cat - but they are considering getting more animals.

Woods' personal choice would be a horse.

She said: "They have all sorts but I personally like the little horses. They're very cute.

"But they have everything: pandas, bears. I think something special about that too is that we can bring in animals people have grown up with.

"For me, it's dogs, cats, rabbits etc. But our care homes are getting more diverse so it would be great if we could have something for everyone.

"We want to make sure we have that diversity in our care homes."