Pets prove therapeutic for Derbyshire care home residents

FURRY, feathered, and scaley friends were the latest visitors to a Derbyshire care home – as residents took part in an animal therapy session.

A menagerie of miniature creatures was brought to Longmoor Lodge Care Home, in Sandiacre, near Nottingham, by animal experience company Lion Learners.

Among the visitors were rabbits, guinea pigs, red footed tortoises, a blue tongued skink, a corn snake, and a cockatiel.

Residents had the chance to meet, hold, stroke, or just watch each of the animals as they were taken around the living room area of the care home.

The visit coincided with Rabbit Welfare Awareness Week, held annually by the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund to improve perceptions about rabbits as pets.

Kevin Coy, 74, said: “I’ve never seen a tortoise that big.”

Simone Thorpe, 93, said: “I’m not one for animals, but I’m definitely taking the bird home with me.”

Brenda Young Williams, partner of resident William Lebeter, 96, was visiting the care home at the time of the animal therapy session. She said: “What a lovely surprise.”

Animal based activities have proven therapeutic benefits for residents, especially those living with dementia, according to Longmoor Lodge Care Home manager Michelle King.

She said: “Animal therapy sessions are always hugely popular with our residents.

“They have a wide range of benefits, helping to boost everyone’s mood, reduce feelings of stress and loneliness, ease anxiety, and improve overall wellbeing. They’re also a lot of fun.

“It was a lovely experience for our residents and staff to meet all the animals and we’d all like to thank Lion Learners for bringing them to Longmoor Lodge.

“You only need to see the smiles on residents’ faces and hear how excited they are to know how beneficial these sorts of therapy sessions are.”