Did you know that loneliness is just as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day?

Wag & Co; North East friendship dogs are the only visiting dogs charity, befriending older dog lovers in their own homes as well as in care or hospital settings. Based on statistics, 51,000 North East pensioners are lonely all or most of the time and with 36% of NE households having a dog, the impact of the charity is invaluable in trying to combat loneliness and filling a clear gap in demand.

A resident of Middleton oaks has been having regular visits from Ernie (pictured above) and is now one of over 2,600 people benefiting from the friendship dogs scheme. We can’t wait to see the relationship build between our resident and Ernie and potentially see more friendship dogs visiting Middleton Hall in the future!