A paw-fect party not to hiss out on! - Shinfield residents enjoy afternoon with animals

A care home in Shinfield welcomed some unusual guests to its garden, including a snake and bearded dragon, for residents to enjoy an afternoon of animal therapy. 

Team members and residents at Parsons Grange, on Westall Street, added Wilma the hedgehog to its garden guest list, alongside a guinea pig, rabbit, bearded dragon, centipede and frog. Residents enjoyed learning about how each animal survives and what their preferred food and environment is, while enjoying cuddles with some of the furry guests. 

 

Anthony Browne, Home Manager at Parsons Grange, said: “This was such a memorable experience that will go down in Parsons Grange’s ‘hisss-tory!’. We are always looking to host fun and creative activities that offer residents a memorable experience. It was wonderful to see the smiles on residents’ faces as they experienced the different animals and learned all about them. 

“Being in the company of animals has proven therapeutic benefits for older people, particularly for those living with dementia, as it can reduce anxiety, release calming endorphins, and decrease feelings of loneliness. You could see from the resident’s reactions just how engaged they were when given the opportunity to be in the company of these different animals. 

“We look forward to welcoming more animals of all shapes and sizes in the future as they certainly bring a lot of joy and comfort to everyone’s hearts at Parsons Grange.” 

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Parsons Grange care home incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities. The layout of the building has been configured into a series of individual suites, each having a dedicated lounge/dining room to help encourage the creation of close-knit communities.

For more information on Parsons Grange, please call Customer Relations Manager, Claire Usher, on 0118 391 3294 or email Claire.Usher@careuk.com.

For more general information, visit careuk.com/parsons-grange.