A little love goes a long way, and this Alzheimer’s Month, the AWS therapy dogs have brought endless smiles, warm cuddles, and unforgettable connections to the residents at Faircape Health Care Centre.
Cape Town, South Africa (18 September 2026) – We all need a little love, especially during life’s more difficult or lonely seasons. For the elderly residents at Faircape Health Care Centre, that love and comfort recently arrived on four legs – wrapped in furry cuddles, warm smiles, and tirelessly wagging tails.
The Centre provides a homely environment for long-term residents, offering specialised frail, dementia/Alzheimer’s, and palliative care. With September being National Alzheimer’s Month, it served as the ideal time to raise awareness that even when memories fade, the capacity to feel love, comfort, and deep connection remains.
To mark the occasion, the Animal Welfare Society (AWS) brought their wonderful rescue dogs for an afternoon of heart-opening pet therapy.
“Our Assisted Pet Therapy visits at Faircape Health Care Centre are always something special,” AWS shared.
“There’s something so beautiful about watching our furry friends bring smiles to faces, spark forgotten conversations, and create genuine connection. A gentle paw, a wagging tail, or simply sitting quietly beside someone brings comfort in a way words sometimes cannot.”
Photos from the day captured precious moments of grandpas and oumas bonding with the dogs. The pups themselves soaked up every pat and cuddle, clearly loving the attention just as much as their human hosts.
“Our AWS therapy dogs love these visits just as much as the residents do!” AWS confirmed.
“From gentle cuddles to excited greetings, every visit creates little moments of joy, and those moments matter.”
Throughout National Alzheimer’s Month, AWS remains dedicated to celebrating the power of compassion, companionship, and simply being present. And while some residents may not recall the visit the next day, the warmth of being loved and cared for touched their hearts in the moment.
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