Giant dog brings joy to Queen Elizabeth Court residents

Above: Chewie, the furry Leonberger, greets resident Gwyneth Hughes at Queen Elizabeth Court, in Llandudno.

Dogs are man’s best friend, and residents at Queen Elizabeth Court, in Llandudno, know this by experience. They have recently enjoyed a friendly visit from Chewie, a furry Leonberger, as part of a pet therapy session. The Leonberger is a giant dog breed, whose name derives from the city of Leonberg, in Germany.

The residents were delighted to meet the affectionate animal, who was happy to be petted and stroked. His owner, Christine, led the six-year-old dog all around the Home’s grounds and introduced them to the residents.

Resident Phyllis Mason took the opportunity to reminisce. She says with a smile:

I’ve always had similar dogs – German Shepherds and Alsatians – so Chewie, gentle and caring, reminded me of them. My dogs used to lie in front of the fireplace. It was so beautiful! I can still see them now.

Resident Phyllis Mason affectionately hugs Chewie.

Rachael Melville, Activities Coordinators at Queen Elizabeth Court, says:

It was really lovely to see the residents’ faces light up when Chewie came around! He brought joy and calmness to our residents, which is wonderful for their mental health and wellbeing.

Also, they were able to get very close and feel the dog’s breath and fur, and this was a particularly joyful experience for residents with visual problems.

The Home’s Activities Coordinators said residents are looking forward to Chewie’s next visit to Queen Elizabeth Court.

[Summary: Residents at Queen Elizabeth Court, in Llandudno, have recently enjoyed a friendly visit from a giant dog as part of a pet therapy session. The residents were delighted to meet the affectionate animal, who was happy to be petted and stroked. His owner, Christine, led the six-year-old dog all around the Home’s grounds and introduced them to the residents.]