Robotic pets provide comfort and companionship for local residents

With funding from NHS England, the Digitising Social Care programme at Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Health and Care Partnership is evaluating the impact of RoboPets on adults receiving social care. Delivered in partnership with Health Innovation East and the University of Hertfordshire, the project aims to understand the acceptability, usability, cost-effectiveness and impacts as the devices are adopted in a range of settings.

Expressions of interest were welcomed from local care home and domiciliary care providers who work with adults living with or experiencing challenging behaviour, cognitive impairment, communication difficulty or dementia. Individuals receive a robotic cat, dog or bird, and the care providers commit to working with the research team to understand how the devices are used.

RoboPets can have a positive impact on wellbeing and quality of life and can support people to live independently for longer. Responding to sound and touch and interacting through realistic movements, they provide a calming influence, give people greater independence and confidence, and improve mental health and wellbeing.

As of February 2025, 484 devices have been delivered to 56 different care locations, with more scheduled to be delivered shortly. The care providers are already reporting how the RoboPets are providing educational, emotional, sensory, and social benefits.

Catherine Slater, Director at Bluebird domiciliary care service said: “One gentleman in particular absolutely loves his new dog, Benji. He strokes him, talks to him and introduces him to anyone who comes to visit. It is company for him when he is alone in his home.”

Tom Bridle, Care and Support Manager at Camphill Milton Keynes Communities said: “It’s great seeing how technology can impact the lives of our residents and this is a really quite nice, quite simple way that we can make their lives a bit better. It feels good to see them so happy.”

Nicole Mann, Manager of Leighton Forest Care Home said: “One resident who often experiences episodes of anxiety, has found great comfort in holding and stroking a RoboPet, helping to reduce agitation and provide a sense of security. Another who struggles with verbal communication, has started talking more to staff while engaging with the RoboPet – improving social interaction and emotional expression.”

Expressions of interest are still being accepted from care providers that meet certain criteria. The study will run until March 2026 and the findings will be published shortly afterwards. To find out more, visit www.blmkhealthandcarepartnership.org/robopets or contact the team on blmkicb.digital.socialcare@nhs.net