Lifeview joint recipient of inaugural Bob Harvey Award

Lifeview is thrilled to be the joint recipient of the inaugural Bob Harvey Award, presented by the Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS).  

The award honours the memory of Bob, whose battle to remain with his beloved dog, Darcie, is featured in a video at the SCAS website.

SCAS says the Bob Harvey Award is “presented to a care home, hospice, or care facility that has gone above and beyond the call of duty to keep human and animal together and protect that all-important bond”. 

 Lifeview told the story of Willow Wood resident Paul Debar and his loyal companion, Bonny, outlining the efforts the organisation makes to enable residents to keep their pet when they move into a Lifeview home.

As a proudly pet-friendly residential aged care provider, all Lifeview homes – Argyle Court in Chelsea, Emerald Glades in Emerald, The Willows in Wheelers Hill, and Willow Wood in Cranbourne – work with new residents to try and enable them to keep their pet when they move into care.

“Allowing pets to move into aged care with their owners makes the transition easier. You give up a lot to move into aged care, you should not also have to give up that relationship you have with your pet,” Lifeview CEO Samantha Jewell said.

“Someone like Paul, he would not settle without his dog, Bonny, and that is the same for a lot of people. Our pets have been our companions for many, many years, and to have to give them up is sad and heart-breaking.

“We were proud to be named a joint recipient of the inaugural Bob Harvey Award. We thank Companion Animal Network Australia for nominating Lifeview, and the Society for Companion Animal Studies for hosting this award.”

Lifeview works closely with Companion Animal Network Australia (CANA) to help promote and educate other organisations about the value of pets in aged care.