Hammy of Hamnavoe House is the purrfect companion!

Rescue cat bringing delight to elderly care home residents

Hammy of Hamnavoe House is the purrfect companion!

The residents of Hamnavoe House in Stromness are feline great thanks to the company of a furry friend.

Hammy, a five-year-old ginger tomcat has taken up residence at the care facility and is proving to be the purrfect companion of not only some of the county’s most vulnerable members of the community, but also for the staff who look after them.

Hammy moved in to Hamnavoe House in October and the benefits of his presence are being felt. He’s not the first puss to leave a paw print – Armstrong lived with the residents of St Peter’s House and then Hamnavoe until the age of 18.

The benefits of pet therapy around elderly folk and those with dementia have long been recognised, being known to help alleviate loneliness, isolation and depression, produce a calming effect and increase confidence and self-esteem.

Hamnavoe House manager, Sarah Kirkness, explained: “We could not consider a kitten as it would be too much work for the staff, so we were looking to rehome a mature cat and thanks to the local charity Orkney Cats we found Hammy. He desperately wanted out of his cage to meet us – it was as if he was choosing us as well!

“He has certainly been enjoying the perfect life for a cat – there are no end of comfy and warm laps to cuddle up on and stroking to go round. There’s always someone on duty to let him come and go as he pleases, and always a good spot to find on a sunny day.

“There has been lots of research about ‘therapets’ and how beneficial that is to service users. For people who are maybe feeling lonely or not connecting well to others and animal and the love it gives you is unconditional. It just wants your affection and it doesn’t matter what you understanding or ability is.

“You can tell the residents enjoy his presence as do the staff. They have all spoken about how they enjoy him wandering about.”

Hamnavoe House is a 30-bed care home which provides long-term care for people aged over 65, with high dependency needs.

Everyone knows just how challenging living admist a pandemic has been, but Hammy has definitely brought a peedie bit of light relief.

“Hammy has fitted right in – we can’t imagine life at the home without him now,” Mrs Kirkness added.