Christine MacKenzie, who is 80, has lived in the Stoke-on-Trent retirement village for four years and receives help from the Enriched Opportunities Programme®, which works with residents who live with dementia.

ExtraCare's EOP Locksmith® Amanda Gallacher worked together with the Alzheimer's Society to get Christine some help from Brambles the dog. His visits give Christine some much-needed social interaction and have even improved her health.

Brambles is a registered K9 golden retriever, and he now visits Christine in the village on a regular basis with his owner, Karen, who is part of the Alzheimer's Society and an EOP® volunteer at Berryhill Village. Brambles is also being trained to work with children with disabilities and help to support them with everyday tasks.

Amanda said that Brambles has helped Christine a lot. "Brambles' visits have given Christine's well-being a huge lift," she said.

Picture: Christine with Brambles the dog.

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For further information, please contact:

Lucy Henson, ExtraCare's PR officer
0789 105 3062
lucy.henson@extracare.org.uk