A care home in Faversham has an unlikely member of staff – a five-year-old miniature schnauzer.

It’s no nine-to-five job for little Morse, who spends his days and nights at Kingsfield Care Home in Jubilee Way.

The handsome hound sits in on important meetings, has been branded head of security and trots around giving manager Jane Higgins, his owner, a helping hand – or paw.

The 90 residents at the home adore the clever canine that joins them on their daily activities or even just sitting in front of the television.

One resident Doris Bennett, 90, said: “Oh, I think he is just lovely.

“I love the way he looks at you as if to say, shall I see them today or shall I not?”

Another resident Hazel Jenkinson, 86, said: “He is a lovely friendly dog. I think that when you’re in a residential or nursing home it’s good to have a pet as it's somebody to think about other than yourself, it's normal to have a pet.”

Jane joined the care home in January and brought in Morse, who she named after her favourite TV detective.

She said: “Morse is our unofficial head of security, so he’s a little like his namesake."

“Morse is our unofficial head of security, so he’s a little like his namesake."

“He always walks ahead of me to check everything out and the staff say they know when I’m coming, because Morse appears first!

“He takes a gentle, slow approach with residents, never running or jumping up. He doesn’t go into residents’ rooms without invitation but he likes to check everyone is OK.”

But he isn’t always a ‘top dog’ and does take a few breaks – in a recent staff training exercise he decided to climb in his basket and fall asleep and promptly started snoring.

Residents’ relatives even bring their own dogs in to meet Morse.

Jane added: “Morse the detective was quite precise about the things he liked – real ale and opera. My Morse is very similar.

“Having a friendly dog around that everyone loves really does help to make Kingsfield feel like a true home for our residents.”

Jane says that if anyone would like to visit Morse, feel free to pop in and say hello to him and the team.

He will be in the foyer greeting visitors (and signing autographs) and he will be happy to show visitors around.

To find out more information on the care home, visit www.careuk.com/care-homes/kingsfield-faversham or call Morse and the team on 01795 535550.