Hopping into spring – animal visit a success at Quorn care home

Residents at a care home in Quorn were all ears when an array of four-legged visitors hopped and trotted into the home. 

A pony, a giant rabbit and two baby lambs all visited Care UK’s Lonsdale Mews, on Farley Way, to kick off their spring celebrations.

Residents were given a chance to handle the animals, all while learning more about the different creatures, which were brought in by the team from ‘Alfie the Therapy Horse’ including their personalities, favourite foods and how to look after them. 

For many residents having worked in farms or grown up around similar animals, the visit was also an opportunity to reminisce and share memories from their younger years. 

Pat, a resident at Lonsdale Mews, said: “I last stroked and bottle fed a baby lamb 30 years ago, when I was on holiday in Wales.  It was so nice to see one again and so up close too.”

Toby Sturgess, Home Manager at Lonsdale Mews, added: “We loved welcoming such wonderful animals to our home – they helped us kick off our spring celebrations off in the best possible way. 

“Animal companionship has been shown to have many therapeutic advantages for older people, particularly those with dementia, as it helps lower anxiety and creates relaxing endorphins – you could see from the residents' reactions just how much they enjoyed interacting with the wonderful animals. It proved to be a wonderful opportunity to reminisce too, with so many residents growing up on farms, and we loved to hear their stories.

“We look forward to welcoming more animals of all shapes and sizes in the future!”

Lonsdale Mews offers full-time residential and dementia care, as well as short-term respite. The home incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities and includes its own cinema, hairdressing salon and café. The layout of the building is configured into a series of individual suites, each having a dedicated lounge/dining room to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities.

To find out more about Lonsdale Mews, please call Customer Relations Manager, Jenny Cartwright, on 01509 801 587, or email jenny.cartwright@careuk.com.

For more general information, visit careuk.com/lonsdale-mews.