Adorable guinea pigs lapped up all the fuss when they visited Abbots Wood Manor Care Home.
Residents couldn’t get enough of the furry creatures when they stopped by for cuddles.
Resident Bill said:
“I couldn’t believe how still Flo was - she sat in my lap without moving an inch. What a gentle creature.”
The guinea pigs, Flo and Anita, visited along with some cute kittens as part of the home’s pet therapy programme. Every month, Beck Wigmore from Pet Pals Therapy visits, giving residents an opportunity to enjoy cuddles.
Fellow resident Daphne said,
“It’s lovely when the animals come into the home. I can’t believe how they make themselves so comfortable. Luckily, however, none of them have got lost here!”
Pets Pals Therapy, based in Chiddingly, has been running for 14 years and they specialise in animal therapy for the elderly. This was their second visit to Abbots Wood Manor Care Home.
Community Relations Manager Richard Hollands said:
“The guinea pigs were an absolute hit with our residents, who were all given the opportunity to hold and pet them. In fact, one resident got on so well with one of the guinea pigs that they held it for the whole hour.
“It is well researched and known that pets can improve people’s mental as well as physical well-being, and every time we have visiting animals, everyone’s moods are lifted.
“They also encourage people to get talking and to share stories of their own much-loved pets. They bring complete joy to us all, and for many residents, holding a small creature like a guinea pig is a first-time experience.”
