A hare-raising good time! Kingston Vale residents enjoy afternoon with animals

A care home in Kingston Vale welcomed some unusual guests to its garden for residents to enjoy an afternoon of animal therapy. 

Team members and residents at Care UK’s Sherwood Grange, on Robin Hood Lane, added a guinea pig, rabbit and tortoise to its guest list. Residents enjoyed learning about each animal, including what their preferred food and environment is, while enjoying cuddles with some of the furry guests. 

 

The animals were provided by Our Amazing Animal World, an animal sanctuary based in Haywards Heath.

Commenting on the day, resident Ilene Pearce said: “It is always so lovely when the animals come to visit – such a fun way to spend the afternoon.” 

Kristina Jacunskiene, Home Manager at Sherwood Grange said: “This was such a memorable experience for the residents and team members. We are always looking to host fun and creative activities that offer residents an experience that they may not have done before. 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 Sherwood Grange – thank you Our Amazing Animal World for bringing them along!” 

Sherwood Grange has been designed to encourage residents to live active and fulfilling lives, while remaining as independent as possible in a safe environment. The ‘Outstanding’-rated, state-of-the-art care home features a cinema, hair salon and art studio, and incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities. The layout of the building is configured into a series of individual suites, each having a dedicated lounge/dining room, to facilitate the creation of close-knit communities.

For more information on Sherwood Grange, contact Customer Relations Manager, Richard Harvey, by emailing: richard.harvey2@careuk.com, call 020 4502 8956, or visit careuk.com/Sherwood-grange.