Newbury care home residents enjoy a dose of animal therapy

Residents at a Newbury care home enjoyed a special visit last week.

A donkey and two rabbits were just some of the animals which spent time with residents and their families at Argyles Bupa Care Home.

And they were absolutely thrilled by the whole experience.

“It was so lovely being able to see the donkey and other animals,” said resident Pauline Carter. “My daughters adopted one for me for my birthday.”

Activities coordinator Emma Povey-West organised for ‘Kelly’s Donkeys’ to visit the residents.

She added: “Kelly’s Donkeys were wonderful. They brought the animals into the garden for the residents and took the donkey to resident rooms if they weren’t able to come outside.”

As well as helping to create new memories, animal therapy has also shown health benefits through the release of endorphins that comes from interacting with the animals.