Alpaca duo Teddy and Carlos visit Stone care home, much to the delight of its residents. From singing to snuggling, these furry friends brought out the joy and laughter.
Stone care home, Shoemaker Place, received a special visit a few weeks back with two unexpected guests – alpacas Teddy and Carlos. The gentle, fluffy creatures were a hit among the residents, who couldn’t resist cuddling up with them and feeding them carrots. The alpacas from Knightley Alpaca Trekking in Staffordshire made for an unforgettable afternoon filled with laughter and unforgettable moments.
Borough Care, which run the Stone residential care home has a reputation for offering a colourful and engaging lifestyle to its residents. The motto of ‘Life in Colour’ is fully embraced by the trained staff, who work to ensure that every resident has the opportunity to live a fulfilling life.
Pet therapy, or animal-assisted therapy, is a popular method of treatment that utilises pets as a form of companionship and treatment. It has been proven to improve older adults’ emotional, social, and cognitive abilities. Bringing in furry friends like Teddy and Carlos is just one way Borough Care works to enhance the lives of its residents.
The alpacas were the stars of the show, captivating everyone with their gentle and calm nature. Even residents with severe dementia responded beautifully to the alpacas, with one resident even breaking out into song. The home’s Activity Lifestyle Facilitator, Alex Baines, described the experience as ‘absolutely amazing’ and said that ‘everybody loved them’.
The visit from Teddy and Carlos was a unique and memorable experience for the residents at Shoemaker Place. Brenda, one of the residents, said ‘they were lovely and so well-behaved. I’ve seen an alpaca before, but not as close as this. I hope we can see them again!’
It is clear that the visit from Teddy and Carlos brought a ray of sunshine into the lives of the residents at Shoemaker Place. The alpacas may have left the building, but the memories they created will last a lifetime.
