Care home residents delighted by donkey visit

Residents were given the opportunity to pet animals including guinea pigs, donkeys and rabbits

Residents of a care home said they were delighted when animals from a petting zoo were brought to their centre.

Animal rescue company Kelly's Donkeys brought the therapy animals to the Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT) Grace Care Centre, in Thornbury, in South Gloucestershire, on Friday.

Resident Anthony Salisbury said the visit was "wonderful" and it brought "back memories that I had when I was a kid".

"I grew up with horses when I was a child," he continued. "I am an animal lover."

The therapy animals from Kelly's Donkeys visit the care home a few times and year, giving the residents a chance to interact with animals.

Barney the donkey was popular with the residents

The trust said the animal visits "are a popular activity" at the facility and they provided "numerous benefits for care home residents, especially those living with dementia", including lowering blood pressure and reducing anxiety.

The animals visit the residents several times a year

"It's just amazing to see the reaction from all of them," said Peter Bendall, whose mother-in-law lives at the care home.

"No matter how severe their case is, the way they engage and stroke their animals, you can see the smile on their face and it lifts them."

Staff at the care home say the animal visits bring joy to the residents