Animal magic

Animal magic came to Brockington House with residents able to enjoy close contact with a wide range of beautiful creatures.

Local company Animals Interactive brought a menagerie to visit our ladies and gentlemen, which extended far beyond the usual therapy dogs.

Rabbits, tortoise and meerkats, an owl and fox all made an appearance. And for the more adventurous there was a chance to get up close and personal with snakes, and even a skunk.

Alex Smith, who runs Animals Interactive with husband Paul McCarthy, said: “There is a lot of evidence now of the benefit of animal intervention therapy and we are delighted to have been able to visit Brockington House.”

Alex added: “It’s lovely to see the smiles when we enter a room. We have a wide range of animals who all enjoy human contact so if people have a fear about a particular creature there are others they can interact with. For some it might be the first time they have had the chance to hold a tarantula or a chameleon and to be able to enjoy a new experience at an elderly age is wonderful.”

Fundamental to life at Brockington House, which is owned by Dormy Care Communities, is providing the opportunity for residents to maintain an active and independent lifestyle. That includes regular trips out, daily activities, weekly clubs and events, all tailored to the abilities and interests of residents, allowing them the opportunity to learn a new skill or revisit old pastimes.

Tara Chatterley-Russell, Activities Lead at Brockington said: “It was lovely to see how our ladies and gentlemen engaged with the animals. They found the tactile aspect, being able to hold and to stroke the creatures, so stimulating.

“Being elderly should not mean you cannot enjoy new experiences and at Brockington I am always on the look-out for enriching activities. These activities are then always made possible by our wonderful members of staff who are always there to support.”

Animal or pet therapy has long been proven to have both positive physical and mental benefits on people and this why it has become an integral part of the activities programmes at all four of Dormy’s homes, the others being Foxhunters in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire; Pine Martin Grange in Wareham, Dorset and Bramshott Grange in Liphook, Hampshire.

It’s particularly beneficial for people living with dementia because it’s a way of unlocking happy memories of owning a pet, visiting a zoo, or other interactions with animals they will have had during their lives.

Alzheimers.net, an online community which supports people affected by Alzheimer’s, said about animal therapy: “While companionship is an obvious benefit, a well-timed animal visit may also help with anxiety and depression. It is not uncommon to watch someone transition from emotionless to joyful when an animal enters the room.