Chester-based care home, Lauren Court, commemorated National Pet Month throughout April, honouring the therapeutic pets that have enhanced the life of one resident.

National Pet Month, orchestrated by the National Office of Animal Health, dedicates 30 days from April 1, is to raise awareness of the importance of being a responsible pet owner,

At the home, they have used the month to share how pets have helped put a smile on residents' faces again, and how they have given one resident a "sense of responsibility" again.

Lauren Court has celebrated Nellie, a Chihuahua therapy dog, and two new budgies, Sky and Suni, who have put smiles on residents' faces and provided them with a sense of responsibility.

Chester and District Standard: Nellie, the Chihuahua, has her own uniform and name badge

Nicola Vernon, home manager at Lauren Court said: "Nellie is a therapy dog who attends the home regularly, she has her own uniform, and she even wears a name badge.

"We love animals at Lauren Court, Nellie loves the residents, and they all love her."

Ms Vernon further disclosed a heartwarming story, where resident Mary Blake reminisced about her pet budgies, leading Ms Vernon to take Mary for a surprise visit to a local pet store.

In a bid to restore perennial joy to Mary's life, she adopted two budgies that would provide her company at Lauren Court.

Reflecting on the experience, Ms Vernon said: "Our Mary had been missing her budgies.

"So, I took her to the local pet shop.

"She chose her own two budgies, named them Sky and Suni, set up their cage and I have never seen a bigger smile!"

Pleased with her new pets, Mary Blake said: "I have always had budgies, so I absolutely loved going to the pet shop.

"I’m taking the responsibility very seriously, as I clean the cage out daily, refresh the food and water and spend time talking to them.

"Having the budgies in the home has given me a sense of responsibility again - they have enhanced my daily life."