Fun with our four-legged friends
At Drymmau Hall fun is not an optional extra; we regard it as part of the essential mix of core wellbeing interventions. Our experience here over the years, and our knowledge of NHS guidance, prove that fun-based activity is shown to improve cognition, mood, behaviour, sleep, identity and social connection. There is indeed something in the old adage that laughter is the best medicine.
Nothing gives us all more fun and joy than our annual ‘Doggy Agility Day’ which takes place every summer and is so highly anticipated and enjoyed that it’s now in its fifth year!
Such was the case on 16th July 2026 when our residents, relatives, staff and friends came together on the patio at Drymmau Hall grounds out front to cheer on a number of our four-legged friends as they tested their agility, speed and technical ability across a set course of jumps, yellow cones, see-saws, hoops and tunnels.
The invite-only event from Manager Lizzy Valler, goes out to the canine competitors and this year we saw a strong entry field of half a dozen dogs owned by Lara, Sophie, Lizzy, ‘J’ (our resident) who has her own dog, Quentin, living with us, too, as well as dogs from some of our nursing staff.
It was such a joy to see our residents sharing in the excitement and showing friendly rivalry as well as playing an important part in the continuity and tradition of this event. It has become something the residents don’t just enjoy; but live for!
We can’t honestly say that the race is entirely without bias, but we wouldn’t go as far as to say it is fixed. There did, however seem to be a lot of cheering and shouting for the favourite, Quentin, and many of his ‘disqualified’ shouts by the judges were loudly overruled. Quentin, as usual, took first prize and partook of a big juicy bone on the patio to the delight of ‘J’ and all assembled.
What is wonderful to see is the residents reacting to the joyful unpredictability of the dogs and the shared laughter, which we know to be one of the strongest social connectors in later life. Also important is that the relatives see their loved ones laughing and that is so important to them – and to us.
It looks like the ‘Doggy Agility Day’ is here to stay at Drymmau and is part of the Skewen high season social calendar! We’re already looking forward to another day with our four-legged friends in 2027.