Stratford-upon-Avon care home visited by creatures great and small

A care home in Stratford-upon-Avon was joined by some creepy crawlies for a unique afternoon of animal fun.

Residents at Care UK’s Ambleside, on Evesham Road, gathered to welcome a host of animals, from snakes and millipedes to giant snails, which were greeted with much excitement and astonishment from residents.

The animals were brought into the home by Zoo Lab, which provides fully interactive learning experiences, where the creatures are friendly, relaxed and used to human contact. Residents were delighted to be able to get up close to the creepy crawlies and learn more about them, with those brave enough even holding them.

Kathleen Melnyckyj, a resident at Ambleside, said: “The animals were amazing – if only I could have held the tarantula!”

Juliet Anne-Moss, Lifestyle Lead at Ambleside, said: “We all enjoyed a wonderful afternoon meeting all of the weird and wonderful animals that crawled and slithered into the home.

“Here at Ambleside, we are always seeking new and exciting activities for residents to enjoy. Animal therapy has proven to be incredibly beneficial for older people, as it can often prompt conversations and have a calming effect  “It was lovely to welcome all of these animals into the home, and seeing residents interacting with them was wonderful – thank you again Zoo Lab!”

 Ambleside is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, dementia and nursing care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable its residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the care home has its very own cinema, café and hair salon, and there is plenty of space, both indoors and out, for relaxation and recreation.