Making hiss-tory! Edinburgh care home welcomes new friends

A care home in Edinburgh opened its doors to some unusual guests for an afternoon of hands-on fun.

The team at Care UK’s Murrayside, on South Beechwood in Corstorphine, saw a variety of animals slither and wriggle into the home to meet residents for an interactive afternoon of animal therapy. 

During the session, residents were able to observe, hold and stroke a snake, mouse and tarantula brought in by ZooLab, the UK’s leading ethical animal encounter provider.

They learned about each of the animals, including their habitats and favourite foods. Keen for the full animal encounter experience, the residents weren’t rattled by handling the animals and became particularly fond of the bearded dragon, snake and tarantula.

Resident, Margery Murch, aged 100, said: " It was very exciting, I didn’t know when I woke up today that I would be holding a snake!”

Suzanne Welsh, Home Manager at Murrayside, added: “We all had such a fun time getting up close and personal to the wonderful creatures. Whether big or small, spending time with animals can be incredibly beneficial for older people, as being around them can instantly help to lift a person's mood and encourage social interaction, especially for those living with dementia.

“It was not only an incredibly informative session but also a wonderful, hands-on sensory experience. The residents loved exploring through touch and observation – it was such an exciting and memorable day for everyone.

“A big thank you to the team for arranging a lovely afternoon for all involved, and especially to ZooLab for bringing the animals into the home! We’re already looking forward to the next visit.”

Murrayside has been designed to encourage residents to lead active and fulfilling lives, while remaining as independent as possible in a safe environment. The state-of-the-art care home features a cinema, hair and beauty salon and pub, and incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies. 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.