A CARE HOME has raised £4,000 to buy a therapeutic interactive seal toy for their residents which moves, makes noises and reciprocates love.

The residents of Avon View Care Home, on Loring Road in Christchurch, have welcomed the Paro robotic seal, which residents have named Bessie.

Bessie has five sensors which respond to touch, light, sound, temperature and the person's posture.

According to the product's manufacturer, it can recognise the direction of a voice and words such as its name, greetings and praise and allows people living in hospital and care environments to benefit from animal therapy.

Pauline Lawrence, activities co-ordinator at the home, said: "It's amazing. Sometimes working here can be a sad environment, so it's nice to bring a bit of happiness to the residents.

"Some ladies carry round teddy bears with them, which is a bit like their child, but the seal is good because it reciprocates the love they give it."

After receiving a demonstration model of the seal toy and seeing the positive impact on the residents, who could cuddle the animal, talk to it and see it respond, they were keen to get one they could keep.

Previously Pauline had spoken of how the seal allowed the residents to feel like they had a pet that they could look after, but without worrying about the animal in a clean and safe building.

Pauline said that the staff are hugely grateful to everyone who donated towards the seal, with a host of businesses backing the cause and a range of events organised to boost the coffers.

Melissa Kennedy, who also works at the home, said: "It is for people with dementia or depression as an alternative to medicine.

"We started off with £500 and we managed to raise the rest within a year to the day. A group of staff actually won £600 at the bingo and we donated it to the Paro fundraising.

"Miller Bros and F. P. Butler Limited Funeral Directors in Christchurch donated the final £620 so that we could reach our total."

The Paro has been officially crowned as the World's Most Therapeutic Robot certified by Guinness World Records. Other features of the Paro robot, which has been developed in Japan, include reducing the stress level of the robot's owners and stimulating interaction between the person and their carers.