The animals came in two by two, recently, when we arranged for a mini zoo to visit Holy Cross and invited residents to enjoy some traditional, and some not-so-traditional, pet therapy.
The Scales n Tails mini petting zoo gave residents the opportunity to hold and stroke everyday cuddly pets like Pandora the rabbit and Batman the black hamster, but it also held some surprise petting experiences.
After the ‘ooohs’ and ‘aaahs’ from residents as they eagerly waited for their turn to hold Pandora and Batman, they gave a slightly more cautious welcome to the giant stick insect, green lizard and giant millipede. Almost everyone eventually set aside their squeamishness, however, and became quite attached to the little creatures.
As well as providing residents with a sensory, interactive experience, Scales n Tails owner, Vikki Goodings also shared lots of fascinating information about the animals, insects and reptiles.
The event was such a success that residents were still talking about the visit days later.
Activity Co-ordinator at Holy Cross, Liz King, said “It was lovely to see how much everyone enjoyed the whole experience; it’s obviously left an impression. The cuddly pets really took everyone back to their childhood and were especially beneficial for our residents with dementia. But, it was a great to see some of the more unusual pets, too; it’s not every day you meet a giant millipede!”