Cold blooded creatures bring warm smiles to care home

REPTILES were among the most recent visitors to a Teesside care home – as residents enjoyed an animal therapy session.

Animal handling company The Weird and Wonderful World of Animals brought a snake, tortoise and owl to Briarwood Care Home, in Eston, Middlesbrough.

The elderly residents enjoyed holding, stroking and meeting the animals, which bring particular benefits for those with dementia.

The creatures can help calm residents, improve mood and general wellbeing.

Norma Dobie, activities coordinator at Briarwood Care Home, said: “The residents thoroughly enjoyed seeing the animals.

“Their faces always light up when they see them. It’s not every day an owl, snake and tortoise comes into the home.

“It’s always great to see the impact animal therapy sessions have on those with dementia also. There is a visible improvement in mood and wellbeing after the sessions.”