Pets help dementia residents recall happy times

Residents at specialist dementia care home Red House were visited by The Purple Pig Company

Residents at a care home were visited by fluffy, feathered and scaled friends as part of a pet therapy session.

Rabbits, guinea pigs, bantam chickens, an albino hedgehog, an owl and a bearded dragon were among the animals brought in to Red House care home in Bridlington, East Yorkshire, last week by the Purple Pig Company, from Pocklington.

The care home provides specialist care for those with dementia and staff said it was a "marvellous afternoon".

Cameron Innes, from care home provider HICA Group, said: "They [residents] absolutely loved being close to the animals and it also got them talking about the pets that they used to own when they were younger as well, which is really wonderful."

An albino hedgehog was among the animals that visited the care home

Mr Innes added: "As you can imagine, if you're living with a dementia diagnosis, life can be a little bit challenging and you can have anxiety.

"When the animals are there and they can stroke them, their anxiety kind of disappears and the smiles return to their faces.

"It's just a wonderful thing to behold.

Staff at the care home say residents were "over the moon" with the visit of the animals

"They're making this connection and it helps with reminiscing skills.

"One of the ladies was telling me about the rabbits that they used to have when she was bringing her kids up, so they're connecting with happy times in their earlier lives."

The session was designed so all residents could take part, with the animals visiting the rooms of those who are less mobile or confined to their beds.

Rachel Searstone, from The Purple Pig Company, delivers animal therapy sessions in care homes and schools

Rachel Searstone, owner of the mobile farm which provides therapy sessions to care homes and schools, said the sessions "have been proven to reduce stress levels".

She said: "If you're sat with, for example, a nice rabbit on your knee and you're stroking it, your blood pressure goes down.

"I find that for people with strong dementia the animals can bring back memories. And they actually get verbal, talking about the animals and ones that they've had.

"Whereas, normally, they wouldn't be interacting with people.

"I loved it. The residents are so much fun and they tell such good stories - they just had me in hysterics, just the tales that they come out with."

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