Aberdeen Care Home Residents Have a Bleating Good Time At Animal Therapy Session
Residents at an Aberdeen care home are wasting neigh time getting out in the garden this spring as they welcomed a selection of miniature ponies and pygmy goats for a therapeutic ‘therapets’ event.
North east company, Joyful Ponies and Pygmy’s, visited Jesmond Care Home as part of its World Circus Week celebrations. The event saw the care home residents entertained by two miniature ponies as well as Bill and Ted the pygmy goats.
The therapets event is designed to promote a sense of relaxation, happiness and is even known to unlock memories for elderly residents with a dementia diagnosis.
Jade McGowan, Activities Coordinator at Jesmond Care Home said: “The therapets event was fantastic – the joy the animals brought to our residents was amazing to see and they all thoroughly enjoyed meeting, stroking and feeding the animals.
“The ponies and goats have such a profound, relaxing effect on the residents, they really enjoy it and we love to see them enjoying themselves.”
The therapets event was run by Alford-based organisation, Joyful Ponies and Pygmy’s - Assisted Animal Therapy who specialise in visits to care homes, nurseries and medical facilities.
Louise Burgess , owner Joyful Ponies and Pygmy, said: “I love seeing the unapologetic happiness and enjoyment that comes over people when we bring the animals into their living environment and the visit to Jesmond Care Home was no different.
“The residents were thrilled to see the animals, some watched from a distance, some enjoyed patting and stroking the animals and others were keen to feed the goats some of the cabbage, grapes and rich teas that we had brought along.
“The benefit of animal therapy is still relatively untapped, but you don’t need to be an expert to see the comfort it brings to the people we meet. The beaming smiles from the residents tell us everything we need to know.”
Louise set up the organisation in 2019 after adding a miniature Shetland pony to her ever-growing list of pets. She saw the benefit it brought a family-friend who was wheelchair bound and embarked on her mission to bring animal therapy to Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, completing a diploma in Animal Assisted Therapy and becoming licenced & insured to carry out the visits.
Based in Bridge of Don, Jesmond Care Home offers relaxed and creative environment that promotes physical and mental wellbeing via person-centred care.
The care home is part of the Renaissance Care group which runs 16 homes across Scotland, is known for its fun and inventive events that engage residents and focus on bettering their health and wellbeing, as well as encouraging fun and physical activity.
Jesmond’s spacious environment has been designed to create a safe and supportive home for all residents. It also promotes wellbeing for those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. The home also has an enclosed garden that residents often like to tend to in the warmer months.
The care home can currently provide residential care and nursing care for up to 65 residents. For more information please visit https://www.renaissance-care.co.uk/jesmond-care-home
