Shetland ponies provide animal therapy at care homes

Shetland ponies Jethro and Sweep have been nominated for BBC Radio Jersey's Make a Difference Awards

Two Shetland ponies have been providing animal therapy to care home residents in Jersey.

Jethro and Sweep are cared for by the animal sanctuary Finni’s Ark, which takes the pair into care homes like Cheval Roc at Bonne Nuit where residents can pet and feed them.

The two ponies have been nominated for the BBC Radio Jersey Make a Difference Awards.

Daisy de Caen, 82, and Duclie Ahier, 98, who are residents at Cheval Roc, said they enjoyed the visits of Jethro and Sweep.

Daisy de Caen, left, and Duclie Ahier are fans of Jethro and Sweep

Ms de Caen said "there's nothing you can find fault with" and "they're quite fun and lovely ponies".

Ms Ahier said the visits brought back memories as she had horses and Shetland ponies growing up.

"We had a Shetland pony and it had a mind of its own," she said.

Lara Manning, who runs the animal sanctuary, said animal therapy had a number of benefits.

She said animals "bring out somebody's personality and character when they might normally be quite withdrawn and quiet".

"We do think that animals therapy brings a lot of joy and comfort to people in different environments," she said.

The BBC said the new animal category aims to recognise "animals that have had a positive impact in their communities".

Jethro and Sweep also enjoyed their visit to the care home

Chantal Ballingall, from Cheval Roc, said residents benefited from Jethro and Sweep's visits.

She said "it really improves mental and physical wellbeing" and the pair were "so well-behaved".

"The sessions are really, really important as they come about every other month and you can see residents reaching out, wanting to be tactile with the ponies," she said.

The winner of the BBC Radio Jersey Make a Difference Awards is due to be announced in September.