Just hanging around! Ashford residents enjoy ‘paw-fect’ party with animals

A care home in Ashford has welcomed some unusual guests, including a sloth, meerkats, hedgehogs, and guinea pigs, for residents to enjoy an afternoon of animal therapy. 

Team members and residents at Montfort Manor, on Kennington Road, added Mika the meerkat and Oscar the skunk, to its guest list to learn more about each animal and enjoy cuddles with their new furry friends. 

The animals were provided by Our Amazing Animal World, an animal sanctuary which has over 100 rescue animals and provides fun, educational experiences. 

Commenting on the animals, resident Jill said: “I had never met a meerkat before! My favourite was Oscar the skunk – he was so soft and beautiful!”

Jean Reeves-Yates, Home Manager at Montfort Manor, said: “This was a memorable afternoon that everyone at Montfort Manor enjoyed. We are always looking to host fun and creative activities that provide residents with new memories and a great time. It was wonderful to see the smiles on residents’ faces as they experienced the different animals and learned all about them.  

“Being in the company of animals has proven therapeutic benefits for older people, particularly for those living with dementia, as it can reduce anxiety, release calming endorphins, and decrease feelings of loneliness. You could see from the resident’s reactions just how engaged they were when given the opportunity to be in the company of these different animals – with Mika the meerkat being a particular favourite!

“We look forward to welcoming more animals of all shapes and sizes in the future as they certainly bring a lot of joy and comfort to everyone’s hearts at Montfort Manor.” 

Montfort Manor is a purpose-built care home which has been designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence. The home provides full-time residential, nursing and specialist dementia care for older people in Ashford, as well as short-term respite care, and incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities, including its own cinema, hairdressing salon and café. 

For more information, please email Customer Relations Manager, Nicola Young, at nicola.young@careuk.com or call 01233 884 619.

For more general information please visit: careuk.com/montfort-manor.