Residents at a dementia care home got up close and personal with two adorable birds in a new attempt to provide animal therapy – with PENGUINS.
The elderly residents were able to pick up, cuddle and stroke the fish-loving birds, that were given free reign to waddle around the home.
Residents said they wanted to see the cute flightless birds after a recent meeting with staff, who got in touch with Heythrop Zoological Park in Chipping Norton, Oxon.
Jane Roberts, owner of the Rosebank care home, said: “The two penguins we had in were specially reared to be able to be handled and for our residents to interact with.
“We also had a lot of staff and family members visit for the day as well which was really lovely to see everyone interacting with the penguins.
“Our residents had a fantastic reaction as something they weren’t expecting from today.
“The penguins were very cute and utterly adorable sitting on people’s laps.
“They spread a lot of joy and a lot of laughs.”
The penguin visit was the first event of its type at the care home and is expected to be the first of many animals to visit residents.
Jane added: “As a specialist dementia care home we are always looking for innovative ways to create experiences for our residents.
“We want our residents to have fun and get a sense of purpose and enjoyment from these types of visits.”
