Lady Jane Court Care Home in Leicester recently welcomed two furry guests who brought plenty of smiles to residents.
Mickey and Julio, two friendly alpacas, made a special appearance to surprise the residents at the Avery Healthcare-owned care home.
The visit, organised by The Alpaca Pals, a local service dedicated to animal-assisted therapy, allows residents to interact with the calm and gentle alpacas in a safe and relaxing environment.
Residents were delighted to feed the duo carrots and pet their thick, soft fleece, which was as cosy as it was cuddly.
Mickey and Julio took a leisurely tour through the care home, even hopping into the lift to visit residents on every floor, ensuring no one missed out on the fun.
Janice Foster, a 94-year-old resident, said, “How lovely to have such amazing animals visiting us.” Her words capture the joy felt by all residents at Lady Jane Court Care Home during the visit.
Joan Simpson, 95, remarked, “It’s been such an unexpected, but lovely, visit from the alpacas! I never thought I’d have such visitors in my room during my stay at here!”
Justyna, Client Liaison Manager at Lady Jane Court Care Home, added, “We love having animal visits at Lady Jane Court Care Home! It’s such a joy seeing our residents so happy!”
In addition to the hands-on interaction, The Alpaca Pals team shared interesting facts about alpacas, explaining how these gentle creatures differ from llamas. Residents found the trivia both informative and entertaining.
“The smiles we see when the alpacas visit are priceless. It’s an amazing feeling to see how much joy they bring,” said a representative from The Alpaca Pals.
Animal therapy has been shown to have a positive impact on elderly individuals, with studies revealing that spending time with animals can reduce stress and promote feelings of happiness. Research also shows that animal interactions can significantly improve the well-being of care home residents.*
At Avery Healthcare, the team strives to create memorable and enriching experiences for residents, and the alpaca visit was just another way they go the extra mile to brighten their days.
For more information about The Alpaca Pals, click here.
To learn more about Lady Jane Court Care Home, click here.
