The work of a much‑loved therapy dog at a Burnham‑On‑Sea care home is to be featured in a new ITV1 television series.
Chester, a gentle lurcher, has become a familiar face to residents at Burnham‑On‑Sea’s Beaufort care home in Rectory Road.
The dog has been filmed in the care home’s gardens last month for an upcoming Bristol‑focused episode of the new five-part series called The Joy Of Pets, hosted by Gabby Roslin.
Chester, a rescue dog, was adopted by Helen Chester and her husband Joeafter being found abandoned and taken to Holly Hedge Animal Sanctuarynear Bristol.
Helen says she fell in love with Chester the moment she met him — and he quickly showed a natural gift for comforting people, especially during visits to Joe’s parents in their nursing home.
Seeing how instinctively he connected with others, Helen registered him as a therapy dog through Pets As Therapy.
Since then, Chester has visited schools, hospitals, the YMCA in Glastonbury and, most regularly, the Beaufort care home, where residents and staff say he has become “like family.”
She says even those who are not dog‑lovers often find themselves reaching out to stroke him.
Staff say his presence encourages conversation from residents who rarely speak, helping them share memories, feelings and information that can be invaluable for care teams.
Chester’s gentle nature has already earned him recognition. Last year, he was nominated for a BBC Make a Difference Award, where he became a runner‑up and even was featured on the radio.
His latest moment in the spotlight came when ITV spent four hours filming him in the Beaufort gardens in Burnham, capturing his calm interactions with residents and the joy he brings simply by wandering from person to person.
Helen says Chester has helped her own mental health too, giving her purpose through volunteering and showing her the powerful impact animals can have on wellbeing.
Residents often describe him as a comforting presence, and one woman receiving end‑of‑life care becomes peaceful the moment Chester enters the room.
Staff say he knows the gardens as well as any resident, greeting familiar faces as he arrives.
“It’s like his second home,” one resident says.
Chester’s ITV appearance is expected to air later on September 20th in the Bristol episode featuring Beaufort’s therapy dog and the people whose lives he brightens.
The new five-part ITV series airs every Sunday at 11.30am and “celebrates the bond between pets and their owners while showcasing the expertise and dedication of veterinary professionals.”
