Four-legged friends bring Mayo nursing home residents on trip down memory lane

There were heartwarming scenes at a Mayo nursing home earlier in the summer when some four-legged friends came to pay a special visit.

The Ava Maria Nursing Home in Tooreen set up a special sheepdog demonstration for residents with Paul Walker from The Newport Shepherds visiting the nursing home.

“It was just fantastic. The residents loved it,” said Anne Feeney, who owns and operates the nursing home.

“We are a country nursing home with plenty of green fields and it was a great opportunity. Many of our residents would come from a farming background, they would have been brought up with these dogs and it was a wonderful experience,” said Anne.

“Everyone was so delighted. Growing up there used to be a collie dog in nearly every house,” she added.

Newport-based shepherd Paul Walker grew up in the Andes in Chile. He said demonstrations in nursing homes like Ava Maria are very special.

“I have always respected elderly people a lot. I grew up working with horses in the Andes and my main mentor was an old man who lived alone in a little house where he lived with his mules, his horses and his dogs. For me, he was my hero.” 

Paul said the older generation has a greater understanding of the work and importance of sheep dogs.

“There is almost a common language there that is almost unspoken. Everybody who has had sheep or a farm has had a dog and knows their value. Anybody who has been farming knows the value of the dog."

He said it is incredible to see memories being jogged and connections being re-established.

“You can see the connections that people make with their own past and their love for farming, dogs, and nature. Loads of Irish farmers are in nursing homes and they need to be respected and treasured. 

"Farmers are a rare breed, particularly in modern life. What I really love about doing this is connecting them with their own past."

“After the demonstration, I would bring a dog inside and they would pet them and talk to them and the residents always have such interesting stories about growing up with dogs. I think it really touches a part of their heart and opens a window back into their own lives,” he added.

Paul said one of his dogs, Birch, has a special affinity with older people.

“He is going blind, he has cataracts and is a really good heel dog, He reacts when someone might be in a wheelchair. He goes close to them and he puts his nose beside their hand. Dogs can feel and sense when somebody knows and really loves animals.” 

The residents adored the experience.

“We enjoyed the day immensely, it brought back a lot of good memories,” said one Ava Maria resident.

“It was lovely to see the sheepdog at work, it's been a long time since I have seen it,” added another.

“The day was lovely, it brought back a lot of memories,” a thrilled resident commented.

The Newport Shepherds are located at the foot of the Nephin mountains. As well as demonstations for all ages, they also offer sheepdog training from their West Mayo base.