Guinea Pigs And Piglets Provide Popular Entertainment At Parris Lawn
Whenever a visit from Pet Pals Therapy is suggested to residents at Parris Lawn, the response is overwhelmingly in favour. It’s a treat for everyone, including the team, with residents always keen to know, “Which animals will we be seeing today?”
The Benefit of Animals – Both Large and Small
Pet Pals Therapy are specialists in using animal assisted activity sessions to provide therapy – or simply a sense of wellbeing – for the elderly and adults with learning disabilities. Owner, Beck Wigmore, has been running it since 2010 and has access to tame animals from her family farm.
Sometimes, those meeting the farm animals are doing so for the very first time. Beck recalled, “It is quite incredible to be told by someone who is 90 that they have never bottle fed a lamb or even touched a chicken and now it is something that they are getting to experience, sitting in their chair in a care home”.
Residents Delighted by their Visitors
What Beck has learned is that even the smallest animals bring great pleasure to the elderly – which was proven when a group of guinea pigs were among visitors to Parris Lawn recently, along with some utterly adorable piglets.
The piglets came with their own pen and provided a lively side show for residents. Although they were too young to come out for a meet and greet, they loved having their backs scratched with a special long-handled comb. Resident Louise, who made friends with the piglets quipped, “Will they notice if I keep one?!”
Meanwhile, the guinea pigs were shared around in individual baskets which rested on the knees of delighted residents - the perfect little vehicle for easy access and much stroking. Resident Dily became inseparable from her guinea pig and decided that “We need one in every room!”.
Beck kept a watchful eye on her animals but they were all on their best behaviour. Everyone was captivated! She also told us how well the group acted and reacted around her animals, remarking, “Your residents always show love and interest whenever we visit”.
Reminiscence, Wellbeing and Joy
A visit from Pet Pals Therapy never loses its magic, with different animals attending every time. Earlier in the year Bloom the (fully grown) sheep was a big hit with residents and for many, seeing animals like Bloom often brings back happy memories and sparks conversations about the past. It’s a great opportunity to reminisce, especially with a living creature strolling around the lounge!
‘Pets as Therapy’ is an important concept at Parris Lawn so whether it’s a PAT dog dropping by, or Beck and her four-legged friends from Pet Pal Therapy, residents can feel the joy that animals bring.
Reflecting on a wonderful afternoon, Customer Relations Manager, Jesse, encapsulated the emotions of all who’d enjoyed the day when he declared, “I never thought I would fall in love with a piglet!”.
Beautiful Care Home in Lewes
Parris Lawn Care Home, located in the village of Ringmer in Lewes, East Sussex, has established itself as a home of excellence for outstanding dementia care. The care home provides a safe and supportive setting for people living with dementia, encouraging independence, dignity, and wellbeing.
For more information about Parris Lawn Care Home and its dedication to dementia care, please visit our dedicated page for more information. You can also find information on our other dementia specialist care homes by exploring our site. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch to find out more.
